An animal rights activist accused of stealing a crayfish from a tank at an upmarket seafood restaurant and throwing it into a harbour sobbed in court today.
Emma Smart, 47, is alleged to have entered the Catch at the Old Fish Market on Weymouth quay and shoved a member of staff out of the way before taking the live crayfish from the tank, running outside and dropping it into the sea.
Smart, a marine biologist, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday after being charged with theft and assault, which she denies.
Her lawyer, Raj Chada, told the court she was in a ‘very clearly distressed state’ and found it difficult to enter the court room.
He asked Judge Jonathan Fuller for permission for her to sit behind him rather than in the dock, which was granted.
Smart of Weymouth, Dorset, sobbed throughout the brief hearing during which she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged incident happened on April 10 this year.
Emma Smart leaving Bournemouth Crown Court today after denying two charges
Smart is is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and theft of the crayfish. She was also charged with assaulting a member of staff who asked her to leave the Old Fish Market, Weymouth
Smart is alleged to have entered the Catch at the Old Fish Market on Weymouth quay and shoved a member of staff out of the way before taking the live crayfish from the tank, running outside and dropping it into the sea
Smart, a member of Extinction Rebellion, was released on bail on condition that she does not go to the restaurant.
Smart is accused of pushing staff member Maisie Croker, who asked her to leave the restaurant, and theft of crayfish belonging to restaurant owner Anthony Cooper.
She will face a three-day trial over the matter in June next year.
Judge Fuller questioned why so much time was needed, asking: ‘It’s theft of a lobster from a restaurant isn’t it?’
Jonathan Underhill, prosecuting, said the defence had indicated that was how long would be needed and there would be multiple witnesses called, including Ms Croker and Mr Cooper.
Smart, a member of Extinction Rebellion, was released on bail on condition that she does not go to the restaurant.
Catch at the Old Fish Market in Custom House Quay
Catch at the Old Fish Market in Custom House Quay
The Catch at the Old Fish Market in Custom House Quay is in the Michelin Guide. Diners have included Sir David Attenborough.
It says it offers a ‘unique, sea-to-plate dining experience’ with seafood drawn from the clear waters of the Dorset coast set in a ‘landmark setting amidst the colour and energy of a working quayside’.
Some species of crayfish are listed as endangered on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
