Animal activist must stay in jail – judge

06 October 1998

Animal activist must stay in jail – judge

By FWi staff

A JUDGE has upheld a decision to refuse parole for a man once described as the leader of the extremist Animal Liberation Front.

The decision means that animal rights activist Keith Mann has failed to win parole from a 14-year jail sentence.

A High Court judge today (Tuesday) ruled that the Parole Board was right to protect the public by refusing Mr Mann parole.

Mr Justice Ognall said that Mr Mann still presented a high security risk and should stay behind bars.

Mr Mann was jailed in 1994 following a massive investigation into the Animal Liberation Front. Police said Mr Mann appeared to be the ring leader.

Mr Mann admitted causing £6000 worth of damage to meat lorries in 1990 at an abattoir in Oldham, Lancashire.

He also admitted attempted arson during a bungled attack on a battery egg business near Canterbury, Kent.

The judge at the trial described Mr Mann as a “dangerous fanatic.”

Mr Justice Mitchell said Mr Mann was “a dedicated and ruthless full-time activist whose goal was to inflict severe economic damage on legitimate business.”