Death threats for 16 year-old Pro-Test leader
Laurie Pycroft, founder of Pro-Test, at the march last Saturday
The founder of Pro-Test, 16 year old Laurie Pycroft, has received regular death threats from extreme animal rights activists since setting up the group, it was revealed this week. The sixth form leaver who led the march through Oxford town centre last Saturday has received around 30 anonymous e-mails including several expressing sentiments such as, ‘We are going to kill you, you evil, evil scumbag.
Members of the police force have visited Pycroft’s home on several occasions since he started the group to advise his family on security matters. A panic button has been installed in the family home, and they have been advised that they should carry personal alarms at all times. However, Pycroft is defiant in the face of the extremists’ threats. “I really don’t care that much,” he told The Oxford Student.
“I find it almost amusing that these people can’t engage in reasonable debate, and have to reduce themselves to this. “Not one of those emails that I’ve received has been coherently written. I’m really not scared of them.” He explained that extensive consultation had taken place with the police force over the threats. “Members of my family are obviously concerned for my safety, but they are being very supportive of my actions.
“We have had discussions about all of this, and I have come to the decision that this issue is important enough potentially to risk the safety of my family. “It’s about time that this became a two-sided argument, instead of just focussing on the views of the animal rights protestors.”
2nd Mar 2006