A man accused of being involved in a raid in which animal rights activists seized rabbits and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage has appeared in court.

Lewis Pogson, an animal rights campaigner, faces a string of charges in connection with the raid of a Lincolnshire farm linked to the well-known research company Huntingdon Life Sciences.

A court was told that equipment used in the raid was later found at his mother's house.

A jury heard how intruders forced their way into a shed at a farm in Normanby by Spital, north of Lincoln, and stole 129 New Zealand White rabbits which were bred specifically for the animal research industry.

Felicity Gerry, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that Lewis Pogson was one of those involved in the raid.

A pair of bolt croppers used in the raid were later found in the garage of his mother's home in Dulwich, south-east London, along with what Miss Gerry described as a burglary kit.

Pogson, 23, of Bush Road, East Peckham, Kent, denies charges of blackmail, criminal damage, theft of rabbits and interfering with a contractual relationship on January 7, 2008.

The trial continues.

For more on the trial, see Wednesday's Echo.