Activists convicted over theft of lambs from Sandringham Estate

Three Animal Rising activists have been convicted of stealing three lambs from the King’s Sandringham Estate and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work each.

Rosa Sharkey, 26, Sarah Foy, 26, and Rose Patterson, 37, denied theft during a three-day trial at Norwich Crown Court, maintaining that they had rescued the animals.

The women argued that they believed the King “would have consented to their rescue” because he was an “environmentalist”.

However, a jury of five men and seven women unanimously found all three guilty of theft.

Each received a 12-month community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £250 towards prosecution costs.

Sentencing them, Judge Anthony Bate said the case had highlighted “sensitive and important matters of public interest”.

He also described the defendants as “intelligent and capable women who can make a valuable contribution to society”.

The incident happened on 23 May 2023 at Appleton Farm on the Sandringham Estate.

The court heard the three women spent several hours in a field allowing the sheep to become accustomed to their presence.

They then took three lambs after the animals came close, placed them in a van and drove them to an unknown animal sanctuary.

The activists later named the lambs Sammy, Sunny and Sooty.

The following day, the women travelled to Windsor Castle, where they attempted to alert authorities to what they described as a “rescue”.

They later handed themselves in at Windsor Police Station and were charged with theft.

Following the verdict, Patterson, director of Animal Rising, said: “We are of course disappointed by the verdict today, but it doesn't change how I feel about rescuing Sammy, Sunny and Sooty.”