A Norwich animal rights activist has been remanded in prison after being charged with stealing a lamb and causing it unnecessary suffering.

Gemma Barnes, 33, and fellow Animal Rebellion protester Elenor Kenny, 18, are also accused of the intimidation of police officers who are witnesses in a separate harassment case related to protests at Norwich Livestock Market. 

Eastern Daily Press: Anti-meat activists have been staging long-standing protests at Norwich Livestock MarketAnti-meat activists have been staging long-standing protests at Norwich Livestock Market (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Magistrates Court was told the pair had harassed the two officers by taking photos and video that was posted on social media.

Messages on Facebook gave details of where officers lived and said they “should be dragged out of their homes at 4am to see how it feels”.

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Crown prosecutor Nishma Shah said the harassment had occurred just minutes after the pair had been granted bail following a court hearing on Tuesday.

She said both were “ heavily involved” with Animal Rebellion protests and targeted opponents by posting about them on social media.

Both anti-meat protesters pleaded not guilty to two counts of witness intimidation.

Barnes, of St Leonards Road, Norwich, also denied stealing and causing unnecessary suffering to a newborn lamb.

Eastern Daily Press: Animal Rebellion protester Elenor Kenny leaving Norwich Magistrates CourtAnimal Rebellion protester Elenor Kenny leaving Norwich Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Shah said it was related to pictures posted on social media by Barnes on April 11 showing her posing with lambs and boasting they had been “liberated”.

But she has since refused to say where the animals were taken from or where they are now, but separating them from their mothers would have caused distress, the court was told. 

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Julie Adams, mitigating, said: “She is passionate about animal welfare and would never dream of causing unnecessary suffering.”

Magistrates denied Barnes bail ordering that she remain in prison until a hearing at Norwich Crown Court on June 23.

Kenny, of Ashleigh Gardens in Wymondham, was bailed on the condition she doesn’t contact Barnes, post anything about the police witnesses or visit any police station in Norfolk. 

In a separate court appearance earlier this week Barnes was given a conditional discharge for criminal damage for her part in a protest that saw milk poured on the floor of Marks and Spencer.