Animal Activists Convicted of Theft for Taking King Charles' Lambs
Three women from Animal Rising were found guilty of stealing three lambs from the monarch's Sandringham estate, claiming they were acting on behalf of animal welfare.
Three animal rights activists have been convicted of theft after taking three lambs from King Charles' Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Rose Patterson, 37, Rosa Sharkey, 26, and Sarah Foy, 26, all members of the pressure group Animal Rising, spirited the lambs away from Appleton Farm.
Footage of the women, wearing pink t-shirts, was released by Animal Rising. They later stood outside Windsor Castle with signs admitting to taking the sheep before surrendering to the police. During their trial, the activists stated their intention was to provoke a discussion about animal farming's environmental impact, targeting the King because he has publicly identified as an environmentalist and animal lover.
Their defense argued that the action was an 'open rescue,' aimed at saving the animals from poor welfare conditions and slaughter, and that there was no dishonesty because the King would have consented. Animal Rising stated that the 'open rescue tactic' aims to establish legal precedent for rescuing animals from various industries.
The jury found the defendants guilty of theft after deliberating for just under four hours. Judge Anthony Bate indicated he was considering a community order with unpaid work as a sentence. Conservative MP Sir John Hayes criticized the activists' actions, calling their claim of royal approval "impertinent" and highlighting the distress caused to the lambs and their mothers.
Livestock experts and farmers condemned the act immediately after the May 24, 2023 incident. A spokeswoman for the National Sheep Association noted the distress to the ewes, and a sheep farmer of over five decades described the activists as "bonkers" for mishandling the animals.
The lambs have not been recovered; they were taken to an undisclosed sanctuary. During the trial, it was stated the lambs were worth £400-£500 and belonged to the King, though they were under the care of head stockman Gordon Robinson. Robinson stated in court that the farm "unapologetically rear[s] forest-fed lambs to sell for consumption."
Prosecutor Dingle Clark argued that taking property without permission was wrong, regardless of the activists' views. He suggested there were lawful ways to campaign for change. The defense countered that the women did not act dishonestly, as they believed the owner would consent given the circumstances.
This case follows other trials where animal activists have faced legal challenges. Notably, four defendants were acquitted of burglary after taking puppies from an animal testing site in an 'open rescue' operation. Animal Rising has previously been involved in other direct action protests.
The Sandringham Estate encompasses 2,400 hectares of farmland, with an additional 4,000 hectares rented by tenant farmers, and is home to approximately 3,000 royal sheep.
