Animal rights activists found guilty of stealing lambs from King Charles' estate

Three animal rights activists have been found guilty of stealing three lambs from the King's Sandringham Estate. Rosa Sharkey, 26, Sarah Foy, 26, and Rose Patterson, 37, were convicted of theft at Norwich Crown Court. The activists, members of the campaign group Animal Rising, had argued that they were rescuing the animals and believed the King, an environmentalist, would have consented to their actions.

During a three-day trial, the defense maintained that the trio had acted honestly, citing their attempt to alert authorities at Windsor. The activists detailed personal experiences that led them to animal rights activism, driven by concerns about animal welfare and the environmental impact of agriculture. However, the jury of five men and seven women unanimously found them guilty.

Each activist was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £250 towards prosecution costs. Judge Anthony Bate acknowledged that their actions highlighted "sensitive and important matters of public interest" and described the defendants as "intelligent and capable women who can make a valuable contribution to society."

After the verdict, Patterson, director of Animal Rising, expressed disappointment but stood by their actions. "We are of course disappointed by the verdict today, but it doesn't change how I feel about rescuing Sammy, Sunny and Sooty," she stated. Sharkey added, "This isn't the verdict we hoped for, but the most important thing to me is that those three lambs were saved and are now living safely and happily."

The lambs, identified as Sammy, Sunny, and Sooty, have not been recovered by authorities but are reportedly alive and well at an undisclosed sanctuary. The court heard that the activists believed they "deserved the chance of a long life" and that they did not regret giving them that chance.