Saturday, October 30, 2010

A terrorist called Mumsy: The retired nurse who was the mastermind behind a vicious and ruthless IRA-style gang of animal rights fanatics

To her neighbours in Littlehampton, Sarah Whitehead was a pleasant, if slightly dotty, former nurse. While surrounding homes in the West ­Sussex town were well-kept, the 52-year-old let her garden become overgrown — providing ­private sanctuary, she said, for all manner of unwanted pets, from guinea pigs to rescued dogs.

By day, the dark-haired woman was often seen out walking her dogs with a younger, blonde companion — her lesbian partner. By night, she was heard talking to her assorted animals in the garden.

‘She was always polite and would nod hello,’ says one neighbour. ‘We knew she kept loads of creatures in her back garden, but she really did try to keep herself to herself. She was a bit odd — but no odder than half the folk you meet.’

To add to the impression she gave of being a harmless, ­quintessentially English eccentric, she was also known by the nickname ‘Mumsy’ to her wide circle of young friends, who ­visited from around the country.

But all this was a cynical, well-rehearsed sham. For there was ­nothing remotely maternal about Sarah ‘Mumsy’ Whitehead.

From her home, where she used sophisticated computer technology to plan attacks, Whitehead was one of the key figures behind a ­shadowy group of animal rights fanatics who waged a campaign of terror against anyone connected — however tenuously — to any forms of testing on animals.

In a network that stretched from southern England to Europe and the U.S., Whitehead was part of an ­alliance of extremists who dug up human remains, smeared enemies as paedophiles and even targeted ­couriers and caterers supplying Home Office-licensed laboratories.

This weekend, as Whitehead begins a six-year jail sentence for the ­campaign of terror (and she is already complaining to prison officers about being made to wear leather shoes) the full details of her double life can be revealed for the first time.

Whitehead’s capture — along with the jailing of former tailor Greg Avery, another leading activist — has ­provided an unprecedented insight into the secret world of these fanatics, who for years have evaded arrest by operating in ‘cells’ and undergoing extensive training in how to avoid police surveillance.

‘They studied the structures of the IRA and also held regular training sessions at safe houses, where they were told how to spot undercover officers and ensure they weren’t being followed,’ says Andy Robins, the dog-loving detective who arrested Mumsy and her followers after a five-year undercover operation, codenamed Achilles.

‘Sarah Whitehead was a corrupting influence on younger members,’ adds Robins. ‘She was a mother figure to some of the others, hence the ­nickname. But she was also utterly committed to her cause.’

Jailed alongside Whitehead were other, younger members of the gang: Nicole Vosper, 22, Thomas ­Harris, 27, Jason Mullan, 32, and Nicola ­Tapping, 29. Alfie Fitzpatrick, a ­public ­schoolboy aged just 17 when he was recruited, was given a ­suspended sentence.


All the youngsters worked alongside Whitehead in Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), a seemingly respectable pressure group formed in 1999. SHAC volunteers even became a feature of the British High Street, where Whitehead and her fellow ­volunteers collected funds and tried to recruit new members.

Up and down the country, volunteers also distributed shocking ­pictures (later found, in fact, to include material from illegal labs in the Middle East) of alleged cruelty at Huntingdon Life Sciences, the ­subject of SHAC’s increasingly aggressive campaign.

Employing 16,000 people, Huntingdon is the largest private company involved in testing medicines and chemicals on animals, with its global headquarters in Cambridgeshire. The company says that its research breakthroughs have saved and enhanced the lives of countless human beings.

‘This is nothing to do with animal rights — this was a criminal ­conspiracy, involving blackmail and violence, designed to ­create a climate of fear among their victims.’

Publicly, Whitehead and other ­members of the group preached non-­violent protests against Huntingdon. But privately, they were secretly ­plotting ‘operations’ — including fire-bombings and acid attacks — on all aspects of its business, with the aim of forcing it to close down.

The strategy was straightforward: any businesses with any connection to Huntingdon, including even sandwich delivery men and cleaning firms, were warned in telephone calls to sever all ties.

If the warnings went unheeded, anonymous letters were sent to the neighbours of these ordinary businessmen and women, warning that they were convicted paedophiles and could pose a threat to children.

Mud stuck. Some Huntingdon employees were forced to leave their homes. In what amounted to blackmail, the targets were offered a deal: stop working with Huntingdon and your name will be removed from ­websites and the attacks will stop. Facing ruin, many local businesses did just that.

The violence worked. SHAC was raising £3,000 a week in street ­donations alone, meaning Mumsy Whitehead and leaders of the group could be full-time activists.

Huntingdon was in meltdown, with staff leaving and suppliers refusing to deliver. The share price collapsed — from £300 in the 1990s to 3p in 2001.



(c) Daily Mail

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Censored at Indylies - Published here!

This was posted then censored at Indylies along with 9 other posts critical of SHAC - SHACWATCH will always step in and right oppresive censorship - particularly when it's about SHAC

Lots of attempts to talk this up with posts to the usual websites (Indylies etc) saying, "not to bad", "could have been worse" etc etc. The real state of affairs is of course very different.
At least three of them expected to walk away yesterday under 'time served' so going back to jail was a shock.

The total jail time for the bigger fish was longer than anticipated and this last round of court time has pretty much bought SHAC to an end as an AR campaign group.

The important work in AR is now being done by others who have distanced themselves from SHAC recognising that real results are achieved through politics not by getting middle aged women with hormonal problems, pre op transexuals and the more extreme parts of the feminist movement ("all men are rapists") to stand outside buildings and shout through megaphones.

SHAC is finaly near death and SHACWatch has played a part in that killing, the important work of animal welfare can now be concentrated on.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Hate Crimes punished

Five animal rights activists have been jailed for intimidating staff at firms linked to a Cambridgeshire animal testing laboratory.

Nicole Vosper, Sarah Whitehead, Thomas Harris, Nicola Tapping and Jason Mullan were jailed for between 15 months and six years.

They admitted targeting staff from the supply firms of Huntingdon Life Sciences, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Alfie Fitzpatrick, 21, received a 12-month suspended prison sentence.
He also admitted taking part and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community work.

Harris and Tapping are from Gosport in Hampshire while Jason Mullen is from London and Fitzpatrick from Solihull, West Midlands.

Vosper is from Newquay in Cornwall and and Whitehead is from Littlehampton, West Sussex.

The six were all members of a group called Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC).
The court heard how the group waged an international campaign of intimidation against a host of companies to try to force the closure of Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS).

Whitehead, 53, of Thorncroft Road, was jailed for six years and made the subject of a 10-year anti-social behaviour order when released.
Vosper, 22, was jailed for three-and-a-half years and given a five-year anti-social behaviour order.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Vultures gather round the corpse of SHAC

Reports reach us that flies are buzzing round the SHAC trail in Winchester. Prominent parasites Luke and Brendan have been seen already and the queen of desperation, Loony Lyn is due on Monday!

Poor old SHAC - can't even die with dignity.

UAAC

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Four admit Huntingdon Life Sciences hate campaign

Huntingdon Life Sciences
Four animal rights activists have admitted waging a hate campaign against people linked to a Cambridgeshire animal testing laboratory.

Thomas Harris, 27, admitted conspiracy to blackmail representatives and those associated with Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) with menaces.

Nicola Tapping, 29, Jason Mullen, 32, and Alfie Fitzpatrick, 20, admitted intimidating firms with HLS contracts.

Nicole Vosper, 22, and Sarah Whitehead, 53, had admitted a conspiracy charge.

Harris and Tapping are from Gosport in Hampshire while Jason Mullen is from London and Fitzpatrick from Solihull in the West Midlands.

'Threats of violence'

Vosper is from Newquay and Whitehead is from Littlehampton.

The six waged an international campaign of intimidation against a host of companies to try to force the closure of HLS.

Homes of staff from the supply firms were targeted with abusive telephone calls and criminal damage and threats of violence were also used to force companies to cut links with HLS.


The BBC - telling it as it is

More are caged today !

Monday, October 18, 2010

Hammer Time 2

Roll Up Roll Up...

The next batch of SHAC are due to be sent down this week!

There is no doubt this time as all have pleaded GUILTY - finally they have stopped the lying!

How long will they get? Will anybody be released?

We will know soon.....

Until All are Caged.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Fools fall out

This town isn't big enough for two fools!

Apparently it's handbags at dawn between The original FOOL and the new Northen Fool.

Foolish children - your petty squabbles are irrelvent when you consider you many other failings.

Grow up first - get propper jobs and stop irritating those that have.

Then you can fight each other as long as you like!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Who's Sorry Now?

In a break from SHAC tradition - the dregs have acknowledged the guilty pleas and upcoming sentencing of the second half of the SHAC criminals!

However in a move that is pure farce they have announced demos at loads of venues - get real SHAC - there is only 6 of you left - who on earth do you think can be bothered to support your delusions?

Why not grow up, recognise your severe limitations and go and get a life - you might be able to achieve that - and achievement is somthing you lack.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Stupid Boy - Luke


Thanks for the heads up SHACWATCHERS - Luke has got himself nicked in London for being a silly boy in public. With his record and recent imprisionment that won't go down well!
As they said on Indylies - the future of AR!
UAAC