ANIMAL rights extremists who dug up and stole an elderly woman’s body have offered to return parts of it but have also made death threats against her relatives.

They claimed that one sixth of Gladys Hammond’s remains, stolen in October, were buried in woodland near a guinea pig farm in Newchurch, Staffordshire, which is run by Chris Hall, her son-in-law.

The Animal Rights Militia also threatened to kill a relative or friend of the Hall family if Darley Oaks Farm, which breeds animals for research, stays open.

In a letter to local media organisations, the author said: “We would have returned Gladys had the Halls taken steps towards closing down but they did nothing.

“The Halls have a choice. If they take steps now to close they may not have to see one of their family or a friend buried . . . by us.

“We have disposed of one body no problem, the next one will be easier.”

The letters claimed that a part of Mrs Hammond’s remains were in a plastic container buried 2ft deep.

Mrs Hammond was 82 when she died in 1997. Her body was taken from her grave at St Peter’s Church, Yoxall.

Eight arrests have been made in connection with the theft. Six people remain on bail.

Anonymous letters were sent to the family last month, suggesting that those responsible were willing to return the body.

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