From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ananova, 31/01/01 An animal rights activist who sent "chilling" letters to employees of a drug testing firm is beginning a six-month prison sentence. Charlotte Lewis, 28, of Thornton Heath, Surrey, was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court. She admitted four charges of harassment against current and former employees of the research firm Huntingdon Life Sciences in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Lewis was arrested after forensic scientists matched her DNA to saliva on the back of stamps she had placed on envelopes. In mitigation, David Heraghgy, for Lewis, said the animal rights campaigner did not have "a violent bone in her body" and had no intention of carrying out threats she made in two letters sent to three different addresses. But Judge Pollard said Lewis's crimes were so serious and the letters had such an effect on the recipients that a jail sentence was necessary. He said Lewis would serve three months in prison and then be released on licence. The judge also imposed a restraining order banning Lewis from harassing workers at HLS. Lewis, a member of a group called Stop Animal Rights Cruelty, was jailed as HLS began to rebuild its business after being brought to the verge of bankruptcy by a year of sustained campaigning against its activities. Earlier this month the jobs of HLS's 1,000 workers were saved when the company received new backing from American financiers after the Royal Bank of Scotland had threatened to call in a £20 million loan. ----- I know this is off the topic of shooting somewhat, but I think it is interesting nevertheless as we are seeing a lot of terrorism from animal activists recently, and while it may be true that this woman "had no intention of carrying out threats she made" it's clear that most activists don't share the same scruples. We should all be on our guard. Kate -- Remember that LACS ran ads in the national papers which said: "Ban all shooting!" after Hungerford. I wrote them a letter about it and got back some inane response to the effect that if target shooters didn't support LACS that target shooting would be banned by default. Logic is not their strong suit. Steve. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________ T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01
