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.”