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Friday 3 November 2023

Norfolk Animal Rights Activist Breached Bail Conditions

A prominent Norfolk animal rights activist has been back in court for breaching bail conditions imposed ahead of her trial for witness intimidation and public order offences.

Gemma Barnes, 33, of St Leonards Road, Norfolk, denied breaching her conditions, but colleagues sitting at Norwich Magistrates' Court found the breach proved.

We have previously written about Barnes being made subject to a criminal behaviour order for committing acts of criminal damage against several local businesses.

The court heard that Barnes, who is a frequently flyer within the criminal justice system, is subject to bail conditions that prohibit her from associating with a co-defendant and taking, or encouraging others to take, video footage of police officers.

Magistrates heard that a mask-clad Barnes was spotted by officers as she participated in a protest at A.D. Harvey Poultry Processors in Bunwell, Norwich on Wednesday, 1st November 2023.

Barnes was arrested on suspicion of breaching her conditions when officers observed her talking to other participants who were filming the protest. Her co-defendant was also present at the gathering.

Colette Harper, prosecuting, told the court that Barnes was being filmed as she approached officers, called them "robots" and said "what a waste of taxpayers' money".

Barnes denied breaching her conditions, stating that the people she had spoken to were already filming before she approached. She also claimed to be unaware that her co-defendant would be in attendance.

But Magistrates rejected Barnes' account, noting that she has "little regard for court orders".

Maria Liddiard, mitigating, had attempted to have the breach proceedings halted on the basis they were time-expired, but Magistrates decided to proceed on the basis that the hearing was started just in time.

Barnes was re-admitted to bail on the same conditions ahead of her trial at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday, 31st May 2024.

There's little doubt she'll be back in the dock before then.

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