Posted on 07/27/2006 5:49:51 PM PDT by proud_yank
Three animal rights extremists who attacked a terrified 75-year-old grandmother and her family for simply displaying a pro-hunting sticker on their car were today jailed for a total of three-and-a-half years.
Natasha Avery, 39, Heather Nicholson, 38, and 19-year-old Daniel Wadham shouted 'scum' and 'perverts' at the grandmother who was with her 21-year-old grandson and his mother as they were stuck in a traffic jam in Richmond, Surrey.
During the incident - branded "disgraceful" by the Judge - Nicholson and Wadham tried to drag the grandson out of the car by his legs and spat in his face before Nicholson struck the elderly woman after they spotted a Countryside Alliance sticker in the rear window of their car which read 'Two working dogs, working people, work in hunting.'
The trio screamed "Get that sticker out your window!" and banged on the windscreen after tailgating the family car for between three and four minutes. The three were eventually pulled away by other drivers.
One man shouted: "If you want to start, then start on me!" before the badly shaken family called police.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to one count of affray last month. Nicholson and Avery both have a string of previous convictions going back more than 10 years for animal rights activism, including a year in prison for a protest they made at a farm in Worcester. Wadham was of previous good character.
Nicholson, who appeared in custody, and Avery and Wadham, both wearing scruffy t-shirts and jeans, all of Yateley, Surrey, smiled as Judge Nicholas Jones sentenced them at Kingston Crown Court.
Quinn Hawkins, prosecuting, said: "On Wednesday November 9 last year Nicholson, Avery and Wadham were sitting in their car which they shared with a fourth man, who did not take part in the attack, in a traffic jam.
"It seems they thought the right to protest they held so dear ought not to be extended to a family of three generations who were protesting in a discreet way by placing a sticker in a car window.
"They then embarked on a course of conduct which involved the abuse, intimidation and frightening of a grandmother, her daughter and grandson.
"That November morning the family including Mrs A, aged 75, her daughter Mrs B, in her mid-forties, and Mrs A's grandson, aged 21, were travelling on the A316 towards Richmond. The grandmother was in the passenger seat. Mrs B was driving and the grandson was asleep in the back seat.
"They became stuck in a traffic jam. Mrs B telephoned her husband and while speaking to him she heard banging on the back of the windscreen.
"She turned round and Mrs Avery was shouting, 'f***ing scum, f***ing perverts'. She then shouted, 'Get that sticker out of the window'. Mrs B then realised she was referring to the Countryside Alliance sticker in the rear window.
"Mrs B knew the woman must have been an animal rights activist and had jumped out of her car along with a man, Daniel Wadham, who was also shouting and banging on the car.
"The son woke up as he realised what was happening and shouted 'Drive! Just drive!'
"A driver in another vehicle shouted to them, 'Oi, leave it alone! What do you think you're doing?' To which Mrs Avery replied, 'These are perverts mate'.
"The three defendants then returned to their car. Nicholson was driving, Avery was in the passenger seat and Wadham was in the back with another male. They drove off staying close to Mrs B's vehicle, tailgating her car. Mrs B then called the police. As they reached the next set of traffic lights all three defendants got out of their vehicle and approached the car.
"Nicholson started striking the driver's window. Avery directed her abuse towards the passenger. By this stage Mrs B was in tears on the phone to the police and said, 'They're attacking us again'.
"Nicholson then reached into the car and tried to pull out Mrs B's son. In order to prevent this, he kicked out. Mrs A then put her arm out in an effort to lock the door and Nicholson hit it in a downward fashion. Nicholson was then joined by Wadham who tried to grab at the son as well.
"Both Nicholson and Wadham spat at the son. The spit landed on his face and on the seat behind. Nicholson tried to grab a basket and the handbags from the back of the car where the grandson prevented them from being taken.
"Drivers of other vehicles then intervened. One shouted, 'If you want to start then start on me'. Police arrived shortly after and the three were arrested and taken back to a police station.
"Mrs B has since found it necessary to remove the sticker. She has stopped driving alone and now uses a train when she needs to travel. The grandson is also scared to drive alone."
Nicholson and Avery were both sentenced to 16 months in jail. Wadham, who was described as 'clean-living, idealistic and passionate about the welfare of animals' by his defence counsel Guy Vassall-Adams, was sentenced to 12 months in a Young Offenders' Institution. Nicholson has already served 226 days in custody so could be out in less than a month.
Sentencing them, Judge Jones told the trio: "Your collective behaviour was quite disgraceful. Families in this country are entitled to travel in peace in their cars without fear of being attacked by people taking issues with their views.
"The reason that fuelled this case was a mere display of a Countryside Alliance sticker in the rear car window."
Avery and Nicholson are the wife and ex-wife of Greg Avery who founded controversial animal rights pressure group Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (Shac) of which both are leading members
I have some liberal acquaintences who happen to be quite pro hunting. I get invited to some of their PETA meetings. That's right, PETA. People Eating Tasty Animals. Elk, right next to the mashed potatoes and green beans.
Educated beyond her intelligence.
MadIvan Bump
ping!
Who was that lone ranger?
Uh, no.
All THREE got a total of 3 1/2 years. They will all be out in a year or less, I bet.
"The women, ages 39 and 38, are nutcases. The guy, 19, was probably trying to get laid."
LOL , Exactly !
That must be American for, "Hey!"
"One man shouted: "If you want to start, then start on me!"
That should be arranged.
If a gun had been found in her car she would be in prison long after the three punks who attacked her are out of jail and terrorizing other helpless grandmothers. Remember, this happened in the UK where guns are so evil that law abiding people can't be allowed to own them and self defense is a crime.
"guns are so evil that law abiding people can't be allowed to own them and self defense is a crime"
Neither part of this statement is true. Hope that helps :)
That should be arranged.
One should not give any warning, a 10 foot quick jog, fist, pavement.
In the US they just might have picked a NRA member and not faired so well. In America we actually have the legal right to protect ourselves and our families. The next sound they might have heard would be BANG. Amen.
I know that.....but what does hunting have to do with being a pervert???
BTTT
That, I don't know. I guess you'd have to ask one of these kooky animal rights wackos.
I find this the most disturbing part.
Maybe it's just me, but I'd be adding stickers to my car after something like this.
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