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Villagers in new action against activists
Jan 17 2005
Villagers living near a farm in Staffordshire which breeds guinea pigs for medical research are renewing their court bid today to stop animal rights activists entering a 200-square kilometre exclusion zone.
Six weeks' ago, a High Court judge granted a limited temporary injunction banning protesters from going within 100 metres of Darley Oaks Farm at Newchurch, except for the purpose of limited peaceful demonstrations.
Lawyers for the farm owners, brothers Christopher and John Hall, and the 4,500 residents of six surrounding parishes had argued that they needed immediate and wide-ranging protection from a campaign of intimidation and harassment which was getting out of control.
Solicitor-advocate Timothy Lawson-Cruttenden cited recent "very sinister criminal events", including the theft of the body of Christopher Hall's late mother-in-law from her churchyard grave and an arson attack on a company which supplied products to the farm.
But Mr Justice Hodge ruled that, although the effect on the Hall family and their business had been devastating, it would be "unwise" to make such a wide interim order pending today's full hearing of the case.
The judge banned named campaigners and animal rights organisations from going within 250 metres (820ft) of premises occupied by the Halls' employees and their suppliers and contractors.
Today's case is being brought under the Protection from Harassment Act against various individuals and organisations, including Save Newchurch Guinea Pigs, SHAC (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty), Speak Campaigns, and the Animal Liberation Front.
Mr Justice Owen is being asked to protect the parishes of Newborough, Yoxall, Barton-under-Needwood, Hanbury, Tatenhill, Draycott and Hoar Cross, all just west of Burton upon Trent.
Last October, the body of Gladys Hammond, who died in 1997 aged 82, was stolen from a grave at St Peter's church in the village of Yoxall.
