03/05/2006

Police discover remains in grave desecration case

Police investigating the desecration of the grave of Gladys Hammond have found human remains.

Staffordshire Police said that the remains of a human body had been discovered on Cannock Chase, close to the German War Cemetery at Broadhurst Green, near Hednesford, yesterday afternoon.

Police said that the remains would be taken to Stafford mortuary before undergoing DNA and other tests in order to establish the identity. This process could take several days, police said.

The body of Mrs Hammond were stolen from her grave by animal rights activists in October 2004. She was mother-in-law of one of the co-owners of Darley Oaks Farm, which bred guinea pigs for medical research. The farm had been the target of a six-year intimidation campaign by animal rights activists.

The farm, in Newchurch, Staffordshire, ceased breeding guinea pigs in January.

Four people are due to be sentenced next week, after pleading guilty to conspiring to blackmail the Hall family last month.

(KMcA/SP)

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