ANIMAL rights protesters have released a video showing a woman activist being assaulted by Eden Valley man Paul Bird.

Bird, 55, originally denied wrongdoing but he then changed his pleas to guilty before his trial could get underway at Carlisle’s Rickergate court. He admitted "assault by beating", using threatening behaviour and stealing two placards belonging to the protesters.

With the case concluded, the Cumbria Animals Rights Action has posted a video on its Facebook page showing Bird’s offending.

It happened outside the premises of Frank Bird Poultry at Langwathby on August 1, shortly after Paul Bird drove past the scene of a peaceful protest which was mounted by two women activists.

Surrounded by posters, the women had been sitting on a grassy bank, near the entrance to the slaughterhouse used by the poultry business. As the women filmed what was happening, Paul Bird arrived at the scene.

The footage shows the defendant– at the wheel of a red van bearing the distinctive logo of the Ducati British Superbike Team – slowing down and then, through the open driver side window, telling the women:  “Oi! If you’re still here when I come back I’ll smash your faces in."

As the women continued filming, Bird stopped his van, and got out out before picking up two placards and throwing them into his van – despite the women yelling that his actions were theft and they would call the police.

Bird then approached the pavement where the women were standing and he tried to confiscate a 20ft-wide banner displayed at the roadside, wrenching it as one of the woman tried to stop him.

After a brief struggle, he strode away, pointing at the woman as he said: “When I’m back, I’ll be coming with the boys.”

In their Facebook post, the group says the case should “serve as an example to others who think t hey can intimidate or be violent towards” people who protest against what they regard as the unacceptable treatment of animals.

The court case concluded with Bird, from Langwathby, being fined £3,500, and told to pay £200 prosecution costs and a £1,400 victim surcharge. He must also pay the woman £3 compensation to cover the cost of the stolen placards.