AN ANIMAL rights activist who took part in a hate campaign against the boss of a pharmaceutical company has been jailed for 15 months by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.

Sonia Hayward acted as a driver for others who hurled rocks through windows at the home of Timothy Allington in the mistaken belief that he was connected with an animal experimentation company.

Hayward, 35, a former clearing bank worker, of Woodside Road, Tonbridge, was also involved in a campaign of harassment against hunt supporters and their families.

John Price, prosecuting, said Mr Allington was managing director of Lygand Pharmaceuticals UK, based in West Malling, and lived in Pembury Road, Tonbridge, with his partner Margaret.

Mr Allington first became alarmed in 2001 when damage was caused to his car. He later found leaflets at his home referring to Huntingdon Life Sciences and Stop Hunting And Animal Cruelty (SHAC).

Mr Price said anybody perceived to have commercial connections with the company was targeted. But Mr Allington had no connection whatsoever with it.

His company went to considerable expense to hire security guards to protect his family.

But Mr Price told the court: “Both his house and those in it became a target for a sinister and frightening series of incidents. It made him feel extremely frightened for himself and his family. It affected his everyday life for a prolonged period.”

On June 5 last year a rock was thrown through the window of the utility room at his home. Just over a week later, late in the evening, he heard a crash and his partner screaming. He told her to press the panic alarm to alert the police.

Mr Allington discovered another broken window and a Huntingdon Life Sciences leaflet.

Mr Price said on the first occasion a figure was seen getting out of a car and going towards the house. The registration number was taken when the car drove off. It was found to be registered in the name of Hayward’s mother.

The second time a person dressed completely in black approached the house. The getaway car was driven by a woman. It was found to have been hired by Hayward that morning.

A third attempt to attack the house on August 4 was thwarted by guards. The car that drove off was the one owned by Hayward’s mother.

The campaign against hunt supporters involved the use of fake prostitute calling cards that were placed in telephone boxes. They had printed on them the first names of women who had connections with the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt.

Hayward admitted conspiracy to cause criminal damage and conspiracy to harass. Issy Forshall, defending, said the gravest offence was the one involving Mr Allington.

"She is highly esteemed by those who know her,” Miss Forshall said of Hayward. “She normally conducts herself in an entirely altruistic and praiseworthy way.”

Miss Forshall submitted that there were exceptional circumstances to suspend a prison sentence. Judge David Mitchell said the attacks on Mr Allington and his family showed how people who took matters into their own hands could be gravely mistaken.