Lavish Display Turns to Tragedy in West Sussex Countryside
The chief executive of pet retail chain Pets Corner faces mounting anger from neighbours after his extravagant fireworks display allegedly caused the death of a horse during Saturday's Guy Fawkes celebrations.
Dean Richmond, 52, hosted the event at his Grade II-listed, seven-bedroom mansion in West Sussex, where dozens of fireworks lit up the night sky above his £4 million property. However, the celebration turned to tragedy when a terrified horse reportedly bolted from a neighbouring paddock and suffered catastrophic injuries after crashing into a fence.
Outcry Over 'Selfish' Display
Residents described deafening explosions that echoed across the countryside and left windows and doors shaking. One local branded the CEO "a selfish idiot" while others criticised the apparent hypocrisy of the businessman, whose company promotes itself as the UK's leading ethical pet retailer.
The controversy deepened when it emerged that Pets Corner had recently posted online guidance warning owners to keep animals calm during firework season. The social media post has since been removed.
According to witnesses, the horse was found collapsed in its field shortly after the fireworks began and had to be euthanised by a veterinarian due to the severity of its injuries.
CEO Issues Grovelling Apology
In response to the backlash, Mr Richmond issued a public apology, stating: "It was never my intention to cause inconvenience or distress to anyone in the village." He acknowledged that while he had notified nearby neighbours, he now realises he should have spread the message more widely.
The Pets Corner CEO, who grew up with horse-riding, expressed deep sadness about the incident: "I am deeply saddened to hear that a horse may have been injured and subsequently put to sleep. This is truly distressing news, and I am in direct contact with the owners."
Mr Richmond claimed the display was conducted by professional fireworks company and was carefully planned to minimise disruption and protect wildlife.
Neighbourhood Confrontation and Denials
Tensions escalated when an unnamed local confronted the CEO about the chaos caused by his display. She claimed he "laughed" in her face and dismissed her concerns.
However, in his statement, Mr Richmond strongly denied this allegation: "I want to make it absolutely clear that this is untrue. I took her statements seriously and was sorry to learn she was upset."
The incident has reignited the debate about firework restrictions, with many neighbours arguing that sales should be limited to council-approved events only. A petition supporting this measure has already gathered over 150,000 signatures.
Mr Richmond moved into the West Sussex property after his £100 million divorce from wife Karen was revealed by the Daily Mail last October. He is now dating model Sarah Louise Wiffen, 38, who posted Instagram photos of the firework-filled sky during the controversial display.
