AN animal rights campaigner from Malvern, convicted over events during a long-running protest in Ledbury, has won permission to challenge his conviction.

Sean Kirtley (also known as Sean Wilson), 43, of Orford Way, was convicted of conspiring to interfere with research company Sequani Ltd, and jailed for four-and-a-half years.

But, at a hearing in London, he was granted permission by three top judges to challenge his conviction in the Court of Appeal.

And, despite pleading guilty to other offences, another campaigner, David Daniel Griffiths, 40, of Bridge Street, Worcester, was also granted permission for a full appeal.

Griffiths had admitted two counts of interference with a contractual relationship so as to harm an animal research establishment and was handed a suspended sentence.

The men were convicted as part of a police operation in connection to the long-running protests at Sequani.

Lawyers for Kirtley argued that his conviction is "unsafe" because the fact that Griffiths had already pleaded guilty and the basis on which he did so were given to the jury in his trial.

That meant he could not have a fair trial, tainting the jury's verdict to such an extent that his conviction cannot be allowed to stand, it was argued.

Lord Justice Hooper, who heard the application with Mrs Justice Swift and Mr Justice Hamblen, said the points raised were strong enough to be heard in a full appeal.

"In our view, it is arguable that the convictions of Griffiths should not have been admitted into evidence," he told the court as he granted leave to Kirtley for a full appeal.

Although Griffiths had admitted his offences, it was "at least arguable" that he had not actually committed the crimes of which he was charged, he added. No date was set for the full appeal.