Norfolk man appears in court accused of kicking pigs

Steven Woolger has been charged with repeatedly striking the animals with a pitchfork and plastic pipe, and failing to protect them from pain, suffering and injury.

The charges relate to when he was at the Innovis Gene Transfer Centre (GTC) East, a boar semen farm in Burgh Castle between May and September 2024.

Steven Woolger pictured outside Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court. (Image: Nelson Walker)

Mr Woolger, of no fixed address, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court only to confirm his name and address.

Dewi Jones, CEO of Innovis Ltd, and Nigel Walpole, the farm manager, have also all been charged with failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal as a responsible person.

The charges come after hundreds of hours of secret filming by the Animal Justice Project.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

No pleas have been entered at this stage.

The case has been adjourned for a case management hearing which will take place on June 16 at 1.30pm in Norwich Magistrates' Court.