Rose Patterson convicted of stealing lambs from King Charles III

Animal rights activist Rose Patterson has been convicted of stealing three lambs from King Charles III’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The incident occurred in 2023 when Patterson and two accomplices entered a field to remove the animals, whom they named Sunny, Sammy, and Sooty.

Patterson, the director of the activist group Animal Rising, described the act as a “sheep open rescue” rather than a crime, stating her intention was to save the lambs from slaughter. She noted that the animals were moved to an undisclosed sanctuary to live out their lives.

Following a three-day trial at Norwich Crown Court, a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts. Patterson and her two accomplices were ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service each and received combined fines totaling just over £1,000.