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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Animal rights protester is jailed | Animal rights protester is jailed |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A cancer research specialist who sabotaged companies linked to animal research lab Huntingdon Life Sciences has been jailed for three years. | A cancer research specialist who sabotaged companies linked to animal research lab Huntingdon Life Sciences has been jailed for three years. |
| Joseph Harris, 26, a doctor of molecular biology, has become the first person to be convicted under economic sabotage laws to protect companies. | Joseph Harris, 26, a doctor of molecular biology, has become the first person to be convicted under economic sabotage laws to protect companies. |
| As part of his campaign Harris, of Bursledon, Southampton, glued locks and slashed tyres at three companies. | As part of his campaign Harris, of Bursledon, Southampton, glued locks and slashed tyres at three companies. |
| Northampton Crown Court heard his work had put him in a "moral dilemma". | Northampton Crown Court heard his work had put him in a "moral dilemma". |
| He carried out the first attack on the day he was awarded his PhD. | |
| It causes me great discomfort in seeing you before the court having thrown so much away Judge Ian Alexander | It causes me great discomfort in seeing you before the court having thrown so much away Judge Ian Alexander |
| The court was told his field of speciality was leading him to test on animals as he researched treatment for pancreatic cancer. | The court was told his field of speciality was leading him to test on animals as he researched treatment for pancreatic cancer. |
| In sentencing him, Judge Ian Alexander said: "I am sorry that your conviction and the sentence I impose will seriously damage what was a very promising career. | |
| "It may well be that your future inability to continue your research into gastro-intestinal cancer will be a great loss to those who suffer that disease. | "It may well be that your future inability to continue your research into gastro-intestinal cancer will be a great loss to those who suffer that disease. |
| 'Thrown away' | 'Thrown away' |
| "The seriousness and objective of your offences must be marked both as a punishment and deterrent to others." | "The seriousness and objective of your offences must be marked both as a punishment and deterrent to others." |
| Essentially he came to a crisis point Rebecca Trowler, defending Harris | |
| The judge added: "It causes me great discomfort in seeing you before the court having thrown so much away." | The judge added: "It causes me great discomfort in seeing you before the court having thrown so much away." |
| Harris attacked three companies linked to Huntingdon in December 2005 and January 2006. | Harris attacked three companies linked to Huntingdon in December 2005 and January 2006. |
| He admitted charges under the Serious and Organised Crime Act involving attacks at firms in Northampton, Nottingham and Bicester. | He admitted charges under the Serious and Organised Crime Act involving attacks at firms in Northampton, Nottingham and Bicester. |
| The companies supplied building materials, refrigeration servicing and testing equipment to the Cambridgeshire firm. | The companies supplied building materials, refrigeration servicing and testing equipment to the Cambridgeshire firm. |
| Damage caused by Harris totalled more than £25,000 | |
| The court heard how the Nottingham University graduate had recently split up from his girlfriend, who disagreed with his work and its animal testing. | |
| Rebecca Trowler, who was defending Harris, said: "This put him in an increasing moral dilemma. | |
| "Essentially he came to a crisis point and he took a very very stupid decision." | |
| The Serious and Organised Crime Act was brought in by the government last July to tackle harassment and threats from animal rights activists. | The Serious and Organised Crime Act was brought in by the government last July to tackle harassment and threats from animal rights activists. |
| Vernon Coaker, Home Office minister, welcomed Harris' conviction. | |
| He said: "It is wholly unacceptable that a small minority of animal extremists should mount a campaign of fear and intimidation against individuals and companies going about their lawful business and that is why this Government took steps to introduce these tough new measures." |