In a shocking case that has drawn widespread condemnation, two women have received prison sentences for their roles in a global monkey torture network. The heinous acts described by the judge as “depraved, sickening and wicked” have highlighted the darker side of online animal cruelty.
Adriana Orme, 56, from Upton upon Severn, and Holly Le Gresley, 37, from Kidderminster, both admitted to participating in the disturbing network. At Worcester Crown Court, harrowing evidence revealed the suffering endured by juvenile macaques in Indonesia. The footage of this cruelty was sold to buyers around the world.
Le Gresley was sentenced to two years in prison for her significant involvement in the operation. Orme received a 15-month sentence.
The court learned that Le Gresley uploaded more than 130 videos and 22 images depicting monkey torture. She had acted as an archivist for the group, cataloguing and distributing this material while also making financial contributions via PayPal to facilitate these acts.
Orme’s charges included publishing obscene material and encouraging unnecessary suffering by making a payment linked to the network’s activities.
The investigation into this disturbing online group began with a BBC report and revealed that members initially operated on YouTube before shifting to private groups on Telegram.
The investigation uncovered a chilling reality: group members paid for baby long-tailed macaque monkeys to be separated from their mothers, tortured, and killed. Disturbingly, they even voted on how these acts of cruelty would be carried out.
Before sentencing, animal rights activists protested outside the court, emphasizing public outrage over the situation. Judge James Burbidge KC condemned the women’s actions as “deplorable” and described their behavior as lacking compassion—something unfathomable to most people.
Police recovered thousands of files from 20 devices owned by both women during a year-long inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Arrowsmith noted that this case marks a significant legal precedent in the UK—it is reportedly the first time charges related to animal cruelty have been pursued for offenses committed abroad while perpetrators remain within the country.
This case shines a light on a troubling issue that transcends borders—the cruelty inflicted upon animals for entertainment purposes. As authorities continue their investigation into this global network, it serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and action against online animal exploitation.
As organizations like Action for Primates and Lady Freethinker work tirelessly to combat such abuses, it is crucial that society remains vigilant against such heinous acts. The hope is that increased scrutiny will deter future incidents of animal cruelty both online and offline.
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