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Animal rights activists are jailed for 'intimidation'

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Published Date: 07 March 2007
ACTIVIST Mark Taylor was jailed for a record four years yesterday for his part in a campaign of intimidation to stop companies dealing with a firm doing animal experiments.
Mark Taylor drove protesters around the country to companies which either supplied or dealt with Huntingdon Life Sciences in Cambridgeshire.

During the summer of 2005, workers were terrified as up to 12 protesters invaded their offices shouting "Murderers" and other insults, the Old Bailey heard.

Taylor, 39, his wife Suzanne, 35, both of Henry Street, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and Teresa Portwine, 48, of Dunley Drive, New Addington, Surrey, were the first to be charged under new legislation.

They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with a contractual relationship. Mrs Taylor was given two-and-a-half years in jail and Ms Portwine was sentenced to 15 months. The judge said the sentence must be a deterrent to others.



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  • Last Updated: 06 March 2007 9:18 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Animal Testing
 
1

Jason,

Japan 07/03/2007 02:09:37

Here we go again: Jail the good guys; protect the bad. The police are a waste of space. Part of the solution or part of the problem: Hardly need three guesses.

2

Scullion,

Canada 07/03/2007 02:52:03

Hmm, I think Jason has had a bad experience with the police. It isn't the police's fault for sentencing, which in this case seems a bit harsh considering what true menaces to society seem to get.

3

Guga,

Rockall 07/03/2007 04:29:31

#3 Scullion. it's not that the sentences for these nutters is harsh, it's just that the sentences for other thugs and neds is too lenient.

4

syntax,

Edinburgh 07/03/2007 04:49:36

Let them protest - then tell them they are not allowed to use any medicine that has ever been tested on animals. If they get sick, tough !!

I think we need a website with the names of all the animal rights nutters and ensure they don't have access to medicines. Let them develop their own !

5

Guga,

Rockall 07/03/2007 05:16:08

#4 Syntax. Excellent idea.

6

ddmc,

07/03/2007 08:21:15

stop them digging up bodies, this lot are as sick as the people they claim to be against. I don't like animal testing especially unwarranted test as used to be caried out by cosmetics companies, but if it is in the name of real science where humans benefit then it has to be done.
But along with the woman who stole from her bank & this lot, being a jakey & robbing the poor stands you in good stead when facing a judge. Guga is right & syntax has a very good idea !

7

Navvy,

07/03/2007 08:42:55

Syntax and Gannet - agreed

8

sam the god,

07/03/2007 10:17:23

#4 what we should do is let the animal right nutters take the place (without getting paid) of the animals they can then tell the medical staff how they feel and the nutters can then say they have stopped animal experiments threfore everyone wins

9

oder,

Scotland 07/03/2007 11:33:25

The have the right to `peaceful protest` but when they`force` there way, that is illegal.
the anti animal lobby/demonstrators need to understand other people also have rights, and they cannot ignore those rights, even if they dont agree with it, no matter how noble their argument about testing on animals are.

10

zsoccerk,

06/02/2009 04:56:00
You should all be ashamed. You call these people "nutters," yet they are only trying to help those who cannot protect themselves.
Hey ddmc, "if it is in the name of real science that will benefit humans then it has to be done" - Do you even hear yourselves? Thousands of years ago, humans were barely any different from the animals your are talking about today. In case you didn't pay attention in biology class, humans and "animals" all belong to the same Kingdom - the ANIMAL kingdom. So if a different species, say monkeys or even lions - had developed quicker and become the dominant species as opposed to humans, would you want to be caged up in a lab, poked and stabbed with needles, and tested on just so the dominant species could try to protect themselves from the small diseases that they bring upon themselves? It's not like it's the animal's fault that we keep weakening our immune systems, using chemicals on our bodies, eating disease and chemical-ridden foods, and are more succeptible to diseases as the generations go on. So why should they be the ones to suffer? Perhaps YOU should be put in the cage.
Oder - It's not like the activist went into the buildings and started killing or hurting people, which I'm sure you would consider wrong, right? The families and friends of the victims would be upset too, right? Imagine how the families and friends of the tortured animals must feel... Hmm.
Just because you are human does not give you the RIGHT to act like you are above all of the other creatures of the world. You may be more clever than they, but they still feel, hurt, think, breathe, and love as we do.

 

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