Hung Jury as Worcester Dairy Plant Protesters Await Retrial

Protesters who had blockaded a Worcestershire dairy plant have faced a hung jury following a recent court trial. The activists, part of the Animal Rising group, were accused of chaining and supergluing themselves to the top of Muller lorries as part of their demonstration against the dairy industry.

After four days of deliberation at Worcester Crown Court on January 22, the jury was unable to reach a verdict for five of the protesters, who faced charges of public nuisance and criminal damage. The actions were part of Animal Rising's "Stop the Supply" Dairy Campaign in September 2022, specifically targeting Muller’s Droitwich site.

One of the defendants was found guilty of criminal damage but acquitted of assault and conspiracy charges. Another had pleaded guilty to public nuisance and conspiracy prior to the trial. However, the remaining five defendants will face another trial in 2026, as the jury was unable to deliver a majority verdict on the charges.

The protesters argued that their actions were justified due to the adverse impact of the dairy industry on the climate and animal welfare. Last month, six campaigners from the same demonstration were convicted of similar charges.

The Animal Rising campaign seeks to highlight what it sees as the dairy industry's role in exacerbating the climate crisis, pushing for public discourse on the subject.