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Animal rights campaigner has jail term increased
AN animal rights extremist who bombarded companies and individuals connected with Huntingdon Life Sciences for almost five years with threats, including death threats, today had her prison sentence increased by judges at the Court of Appeal.
AN animal rights extremist who bombarded companies and individuals connected with Huntingdon Life Sciences for almost five years with threats, including death threats, today had her prison sentence increased by judges at the Court of Appeal.Deborah Morrison's sustained campaign of intimidation included sending envelopes with white powder, which eventually turned out to be harmless, to some of her victims, who often had business arrangements with animal research companies.
The court heard that her actions caused "fear of death and widespread alarm," although she had no intention of actually hurting anyone.
Morrison (35) pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court to six counts of blackmail, one of attempted blackmail and five counts of interference with a contractual relationship. She was sentenced to eight months in prison on November 16 last year.
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC, challenged that sentence today on the grounds that it was "unduly lenient".
Morrison's campaign lasted between August 2001 and June 2006.
Lord Justice Tuckey said Morrison, of Egdon Glen, Crossways, Dorchester, targeted the chief executive of a bank, which had dealings with an animal research company, in a letter which read: "Stop investing in Huntingdon Life Sciences or you will die."
She also sent a vet in Burton-on-Trent, who provided services for a business which bred guinea pigs for research in Staffordshire a letter with white powder which warned: "Stop doing business with animal killers."
The judge, accompanied on the bench by Mr Justice Burton and Mr Justice Saunders, concluded: "It is necessary for the courts to make very clear the seriousness of these offences and to impose a substantial sentence as a deterrent to those who might be tempted to act in the same way."
The judge increased Morrison's sentence to two years.
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