Animal rights activists fined over Towcester Racecourse protest

Several protesters turned up at Towcester Racecourse at the English Greyhound Derby in July 2023

A man convicted of a new protesting offence has been fined and handed a suspended prison sentence.

Edward Allnutt was accused of going to Towcester Racecourse, Northamptonshire, equipped to lock onto railings at the English Greyhound Derby on 1 July 2023.

Police believe this conviction is one of the first of its kind in the UK.

Allnutt, aged 33, was among four animal rights activists who given fines and compensation orders totalling £15,000 each for disrupting the racing event.

He was convicted at Northampton Magistrates' Court of aggravated trespass along with 24-year-old Alexandra Dunnet, 46-year-old Sasha Joliffe and 21-year-old Joseph Moss.

Allnutt was the only defendant further charged with being equipped to lock on. The offence was included in the Public Order Act 2023.

Police officers conducted searches of vehicles on the day of the derby

The court heard that the four, who were all linked to the Animal Rising protest group, broke into the race circuit and attempted to storm the track.

Allnutt, Moss and Joliffe, of no fixed abode, were each sentenced to nine weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. Dunnett, of Market Place, East Finchley, north London, was handed a six-week suspended sentence.

They were each fined £7,500 and ordered to pay a further sum of £7,500 each in compensation, to be split between Northamptonshire Police and Towcester Racecourse, and costs of £850 each.

All were ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement as a result of Friday's hearing.

All four were made subject to a restraining order not to enter or attend any sporting activity involving greyhound racing anywhere in the UK.

Allnutt received no separate penalty for the offence of going equipped to lock on.

Ch Insp Pete Basham, who led the policing of the protest, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the sentences handed down by the court, in particular the very significant financial penalties imposed.

"Northamptonshire Police mounted a significant, but proportionate public order operation to minimise disruption and as a result public safety was maintained throughout and the spectators were able to see all races completed as scheduled."

Some protesters got onto the track at Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire