Trial fixed for woman accused of animal rights blackmail (From Craven Herald)

Trial fixed for woman accused of animal rights blackmail

3:06pm Tuesday 15th May 2007 in News By Newsdesk

A SKIPTON woman arrested during a series of police raids which targeted animal extremism appeared before a judge today to be told that she will stand trial in August.

Suzanne Jaggers, 35, of Upper Sackville Street, faces a charge of blackmail following the nationwide police operation which involved more than 700 officers and support staff.

In total 32 people were arrested in the operation, which also included raids on addresses in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Jaggers appeared before Judge Roger Scott at Bradford Crown Court and was told that a provisional trial date had been set for August.

She was granted bail with a series of strict conditions which include residing at her home address and surrendering her passport.

She is also banned from applying for further travel documents and having any contact with any employee of Huntingdon Life Sciences or any person known or suspected of being associated with any business or company associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences.

Jaggers is only allowed contact with other animal rights activists via her legal team and is banned from participating either in person, by mail, or via the internet in any animal rights demonstrations in the Untied Kingdom or abroad.

Jaggers, who also has to report to Skipton Police Station on a daily basis, is due back in court on July 17 for a plea and case management hearing.