13 people have been sentenced in connection with a 2022 protest at a dairy distribution centre on Mosquito Way, Hatfield, causing around £100,000 worth of damage.

Several members of the protest group Animal Rising (then known as Animal Rebellion) broke into the centre.

Following an investigation, officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Public Order Crime Team arrested and charged 14 people with conspiracy to cause criminal damage.

One of these left the country following the expiration of their visa, and an arrest warrant remains outstanding.

St Albans Crown Court heard how some of those who entered the site used cordless drills to make holes in the tyres of lorries waiting at the yard, and bolt cutters to cut off the air valves in what was described as a "planned and deliberate" incident.

Eight people pleaded guilty to the offences and were sentenced across two hearings on Wednesday, July 31, and Monday, August 5.

The following sentences were given:

Kim Wainwright, 51, of Beech Crescent, Hythe, Hampshire, to 16 months’ imprisonment suspended for 21 months, 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and £1,400 compensation;
Stephen Bone, 42, of Edward Road, Thorpe Le Soken, Essex, to 21 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, 100 hours of unpaid work and £1,400 compensation;
Lucia Alexander, 40, of St Leonards Road, Norwich, Norfolk, to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for 21 months, 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 180 hours of unpaid work and £1,400 compensation;
Rik Jansen, 28, of Boleyn Road, Islington, to 24 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 250 hours of unpaid work and £6,600 compensation;
Cristina Acosta, 27, of McNeil Road, London, to 17 months’ imprisonment suspended for 21 months, 170 hours of unpaid work, and £12,500 compensation;
Rosa Sharkey, 24, of Princes Road, Brighton, East Sussex, to a 12-month community order, a Saturday curfew for five weeks, 150 hours of unpaid work and £1,400 compensation;
Solene Rashleigh, 21. of Queensdown Gardens, Bristol, to 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, thinking skills course, 100 hours of unpaid work and £1,400 compensation;
Elinor Joseph, 19, of Lynford Gardens, Edgware, London, to a 12-month community order, 40 hours of unpaid work and £2,000 compensation.

Pleaded not guilty

Five people pleaded not guilty to the offences and were convicted by a jury following a three-week trial.

The following sentences were given at St Albans Crown Court:

Robert Houston, 45, of Byng Road, London, to 22 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months and £1,400 compensation;
Anna Wilkinson, 45, of Petersham Avenue, Byfleet, Surrey, to a 15-month community order, Saturday curfew for two months, 160 hours of unpaid work and £10,450 compensation;
Bryan Mongelli, 30, of Cudworth House, Patmore Estate, London, to 20 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, 200 hours of unpaid work and £3,500 compensation;
Reuben Lemer, 29, of Glebe House, Great Hallingbury, Hertfordshire to a 15-month community order, 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and £7,000 compensation;
Xanthe Wells, 20, of High Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, to 15 months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, 200 hours of unpaid work and £5,025 in compensation.

Five further suspects were arrested in connection with the incident but failed to answer their bail having fled to the Czech Republic, and their arrest warrants remain outstanding.

'Challenging and complex investigation'

Insp Donna Norris, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Public Order Crime Team and senior investigating officer, said: “The sentences passed down by the courts are a culmination of nearly two years’ worth of work in what has been a challenging and complex investigation.

“These 13 defendants turned up at a dairy distribution centre and caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Norris said this was a "pre-planned incident", with much of it filmed and posted on social media.

“I hope these sentences will reassure the public that we will deal with matters such as these seriously, and that offenders will be brought to justice.”

The judge also awarded a commendation to Insp Norris and her colleague DC Chris Aherne for their work throughout the complex case.