A KIDDERMINSTER wheelchair user who superglued her hand to the gates of an animal testing facility has been convicted of aggravated trespass.

A protest against beagles being bred for experimentation was held at the Marshall BioResources (MBR) facility in Wyton, near Huntingdon, last September.

Louise Ryan, aged 50, appeared at Peterborough Magistrates' Court last week and was given a conditional discharge after gluing herself to the gates of the facility.

Proceedings were disrupted and Ms Ryan was removed from the court after she shouted “Shut down MBR,” and “Shame on you” as Susan Pressick, MBR’s administration manager, began to give evidence for the prosecution.

After the hearing, Ms Ryan said: “It was several hours before the police were able to unglue me from the gates and I’m very pleased my action helped to raise public awareness that beagles and other animals are still being bred and used for experiments.

“Animal experimentation is not only morally wrong, it is also regarded as scientifically invalid by an increasing number of doctors and scientists, and is an example of human supremacism, the arrogant and irrational belief that humans are somehow more important than other sentient animals.”

MBR Acres breed animals and supplies dogs to licensed laboratories or businesses for the purpose of animal testing and research.

According to its website: "Marshall BioResources is dedicated to maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

"We greatly respect and appreciate the role our animals continue to play in the development of life saving discoveries, medicines and treatments for humans and animals alike.

"Therefore, we believe our animals deserve the best possible treatment and care we can provide".