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[1] - 4.5 Years for SOCA 145

Blind Justice | 30.05.2008 13:50 | Animal Liberation | Birmingham

Two men have been sentenced at Coventry Crown Court today for their part in animal rights protests which took place in the West Mercia Constabulary force area.

[1| Personal information removed] was sentenced to four and a half years in jail for his part in organising a prolonged campaign of intimidation and harassment against staff working at Sequani Ltd in Ledbury and at other businesses in Herefordshire. He was also given a five year ASBO which will commence on his release from prison.

[1] was found guilty of conspiracy to interfere with the contractual relationships of an animal research organisation by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday 14 May 2008.

[2| Personal information removed] received a 30 week jail sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty earlier in the Birmingham Crown Court trial to two charges of interfering with the contractual relationships of an animal research organisation. He must also complete 100 hours community service and was made the subject of a two year Crasbo.

Both men were charged under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It is the first time the act has been successfully used in a contested court case.

The trial at Birmingham, which lasted almost five months, was one of the longest in which West Mercia Constabulary has ever been involved.

[personal information has been removed from this post - queries to imc-uk-legal at lists.indymedia.org]

Blind Justice

Comments

Hide the following 5 comments

Jailed for what, protesting?

30.05.2008 14:36

Am I right to say [1] has been jailed purely for organising peaceful protests?

Rod

Stand up in solidarity

30.05.2008 14:49

Outrageous.

From NETCU website -

Det Insp Williams added: "[1] also developed and managed a website named Stop Sequani Animal Testing (SSAT) to support his campaign. This action has had a significant effect on the businesses involved and affected a large number of individuals from local communities who have suffered long term effects as a result of the campaign of intimidation and harassment."

What fools they are at NETCU & the CPS. Don't they know this only strengthens our resolve? I bet more people than ever before will now visit the website, Stop Sequani Animal Testing (

http://sequani.wordpress.com/), and will discover the truth about this shameful company. Many mightn't have even heard of Sequani before the trial. Just as the attempts to suppress the screening of Smash EDO's 'On the Verge', their tactics will only serve to recruit more people into the campaign.
Those ammoral bastards seriously underestimate the strength of our convictions.

s.145 SOCPA needs to be given the attention that s.132 has been getting (prohibiting protest at Parliament Square). Animal rights activist or not, these principles will concern you and your own campaign - if not now, soon.

Has anyone tried approaching the mainstream press about s.145 and its implications for the right to protest?

Disgusted

Cost ...

30.05.2008 16:41

Wonder if the local community agree to West Mercia using £4million of THEIR money to help a few animal torturers put away a man for actions that were just 10 years ago completely legal.

Specials

Ouchhhhhhhhhh

30.05.2008 17:04

Thia is a bloody heavy sentence for running a peaceful campaign...

Big Joan

assault?

30.05.2008 18:05

On the netcu site its states that an assault took place, eh? The only assault that took place was a female protester being hit in the face by one of the animal abusers and an attempt of assault again on a female protester by another animal abuser! Netcu get your facts straight >>>>>>>>>>

Oh yes Netcu have also conveniently forgotten to mention that 10 out of the 12 were acquitted !

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