Animal rights protestors who attempted to disrupt the English Greyhound Derby at Towcester Racecourse have been handed significant fines totaling £60,000. Alexandra Dunnet, Edward Allnutt, Sasha Joliffe, and Joseph Moss, associated with the Animal Rising protest group, were convicted of aggravated trespass.
The Northampton Magistrates Court heard how the activists breached the race circuit's security on July 1 last year, attempting to storm the track. Allnutt faced an additional charge under Section 2 of the Public Order Act 2023 for going equipped to lock on, marking one of the first convictions of its kind in UK legal history.
Although a large police operation ensured the event proceeded without incident, the protestors' actions led to their arrests. Allnutt, Moss, and Joliffe received suspended nine-week prison sentences, while Dunnett was handed a suspended six-week sentence. They were ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days.
Moreover, the court directed the protestors to pay £15,000 in compensation, split between Northamptonshire Police and Towcester Racecourse, in addition to £850 each in costs. Furthermore, they were banned from attending any greyhound racing events in the UK under a restraining order.
Chief Inspector Pete Basham, who supervised the protest's policing, expressed satisfaction with the court's decisions, emphasizing that disrupting lawful events carries severe consequences, including heavy financial penalties. He commended the police's efforts in maintaining public safety and ensuring the races proceeded as scheduled.