A self-proclaimed animal liberator broke into a huge egg farm and attempted to steal 54 chickens – which then had to be slaughtered.

Melanie Arnold and seven others used bolt cutters in a midnight raid on Fridays Ltd in Cranbrook.

They had gone to the farm off Swattenden Lane over welfare concerns but having attempted to steal the hens fears of contamination meant the birds had to be euthanised.

The 52-year-old activist – who has four previous convictions, one of which was as a result of protesting arm sales to Iraq and another for protesting poll tax – pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to burglary following the incident on September 2, 2019.

Fridays operates several farms in Kent which are home to hundreds of thousands of birds. Campaigners have targeted them on a number of occasions but the company says such actions expose the birds to illness.

Prosecutor Leigh Hart told the court: "This case happened against the backdrop of animal liberation activity.

"Just after midnight, CCTV monitoring alerted the owners of Fridays Ltd, a large-scale chicken farm, of the break-in."

Arnold, of Hughenden Road, Hastings, and another woman were found inside the premises and six others were seen to run away as the police were called.

Ms Hart said officers discovered the gang had wire cutters, ladders and torches and 54 chickens had been put into bags.

"Regrettably, they had to be taken away and slaughtered and the company lost £200 worth of eggs as that area had been contaminated. So this was an unfortunate series of events," she added.

The judge, Recorder Ed Burge QC, retorted: "The outcome was unfortunate... especially for the chickens."

Arnold’s defence barrister, Russell Fraser, explained to the court the burglary was of no economic gain.

The judge sentenced the Co-op worker to an 18-week jail sentence suspended for 15 months.

He said the gang had "recced" the premises the night before and then returned and broke into one of the chicken sheds, causing damage to one of the metal grills.

"You then stole the chickens... all of whom died as a result of what you did," he continued. "They had to be put down. Whatever your motivations they were counterproductive.

"It is suggested that the motivation for this crime was the welfare of the animals and that somehow reduces the seriousness of the offence... but I have to sentence you according to guidelines for burglaries of commercial premises."

She must also attend 30 rehabilitation days and is ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Arnold must also pay £800 for prosecution costs and pay £100 compensation to Fridays Ltd.

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