Animal Rights Protesters Cause Over £100,000 in Damage at Dairy Distribution Centre

Eight protesters pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause criminal damage, while another five were convicted following a three-week trial at St Albans Crown Court. Between them, they must pay over £50,000 in compensation and carry out more than 1,500 hours of unpaid work. The fourteenth suspect fled the country after their visa expired, and an arrest warrant remains in place.

Animal Rising advocates for a transition to a plant-based food system to reduce the UK's environmental impact. The group shared videos and images of the break-in, including a statement from protester Stephen Bone expressing concern about climate change and the future of his daughter.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Donna Norris of Hertfordshire Police described the protest as a "pre-planned incident" and emphasized that while everyone has the right to protest, damaging property is illegal.

Sentences for the Guilty Pleas

The eight individuals who pleaded guilty were sentenced as follows:

• Kim Wainwright, 51: 16 months’ imprisonment suspended for 21 months, 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and £1,400 compensation.
• Stephen Bone, 42: 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, 100 hours of unpaid work, and £1,400 compensation.
• Lucia Alexander, 40: 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for 21 months, 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 180 hours of unpaid work, and £1,400 compensation.
• Rik Jansen, 28: 24 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 250 hours of unpaid work, and £6,600 compensation.
• Cristina Acosta, 27: 17 months’ imprisonment suspended for 21 months, 170 hours of unpaid work, and £12,500 compensation.
• Rosa Sharkey, 24: 12-month community order, Saturday curfew for five weeks, 150 hours of unpaid work, and £1,400 compensation.
• Solene Rashleigh, 21: 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, thinking skills course, 100 hours of unpaid work, and £1,400 compensation.
• Elinor Joseph, 19: 12-month community order, 40 hours of unpaid work, and £2,000 compensation.

Sentences for the Convicted

The five individuals convicted after trial were sentenced as follows:

• Robert Houston, 45: 22 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months and £1,400 compensation.
• Anna Wilkinson, 45: 15-month community order, Saturday curfew for two months, 160 hours of unpaid work, and £10,450 compensation.
• Bryan Mongelli, 30: 20 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, 200 hours of unpaid work, and £3,500 compensation.
• Reuben Lemer, 29: 15-month community order, 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and £7,000 compensation.
• Xanthe Wells, 20: 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work, and £5,025 in compensation.

Statements from Arla Foods and Police

Hertfordshire Police reported that five additional suspects connected to the incident fled to Czechia and their arrest warrants remain outstanding.

A spokesperson for Arla Foods stated: "We respect the right to a peaceful protest, however, this group of protesters both ignored a High Court injunction and intentionally caused significant criminal damage to our property, while putting a number of our colleagues at risk. The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues will always be our number one priority and so we welcome the decisions of St Albans Crown Court, to protect our colleagues, our farmer owners, and our business against any action in the future.

Photo by itv.com