CPS secures guilty pleas in Darley Oaks Farm blackmail case
11/04/2006
The final defendant has pleaded guilty in the Crown Prosecution Service's case against four animal rights protesters accused of conspiracy to blackmail in a campaign to shut down Darley Oaks guinea pig farm in Staffordshire. The campaign culminated in the theft of the body of Gladys Hammond, the mother-in-law of one of the farm's owners.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for Staffordshire, Harry Ireland said: "The strength of this prosecution gave the accused no option but to plead guilty.
"These people orchestrated a long running and unpleasant campaign to cause fear and suffering to anyone connected with Darley Oaks farm.
"Their actions went well beyond lawful protesting and persuading; they threatened death and violence, damaged property and used explosive devices.
"Their forceful and illegal campaign has been met with an appropriately forceful prosecution. These guilty pleas reflect the criminal justice system's determination that communities should be allowed to go about their business free of fear and intimidation."
Josephine Mayo pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court today of conspiracy to blackmail. Three other defendants - John Ablewhite, John Smith and Kerry Whitburn - pleaded guilty to the same offence at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday evening.
The charge related to a campaign of blackmail between September 1999 and September 2005 aimed at closing down the business of David Hall & Partners in Newchurch, Staffordshire. Their business bred guinea pigs at Darley Oaks Farm for use in medical research; however the farm has now closed its breeding operations and reverted to arable farming.
Josephine Mayo was given conditional bail and the other three defendants were remanded in custody. All four will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 11 and 12 May 2006.
Notes to Editors
- Editors should be aware there is a separate case against Madelaine Buckler who is charged with three counts of blackmail and one of attempted blackmail in connection with Darley Oaks Farm. She is due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on 5 June 2006.
- For further details and interview bids for the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Staffordshire, Harry Ireland, please contact CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8105.
