ANIMAL rights protestor Sean Kirtley has launched an appeal against a four and a half year prison sentence. He was found guilty in May for his part in a prolonged protest campaign against Sequani of Ledbury.

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that Kirtley, from Malvern, lodged his appeal on Friday, June 20.

The appeal is still to be heard, but it was widely reported in national newspapers this week that Kirtley, aged 42, has claimed that the judge who sentenced him should not have heard the case, because of his personal interest in blood sports.

Kirtley's solicitor, Mike Schwarz, could not be contacted at the time of going to press.

But his London-based office confirmed that Mr Schwarz was handling the Kirtley case.

Mr Schwarz is one of the best-known human rights solicitors in the UK.

He advises and trains campaign groups such as Greenpeace, CND and Amnesty on criminal and public order law.

His web-site also states: "He acts for political activists and campaigners on issues such as the environment, animal rights, race and social justice."

Kirtley was found guilty at the end of one of the longest animal rights trials in legal history.

Speaking at the end of the 18-week long trial on May, Detective Dave Williams of West Mercia Police said that Kirtley was a dedicated animal rights activist who had organised a sustained campaign against Sequani "with the ultimate aim of closing the company down".