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A farm worker who was caught on undercover camera footage repeatedly kicking pigs and hitting them with a pitchfork is facing jail.
Steven Woolger, 48, repeatedly struck the animals with a metal spiked tool and plastic pipe while working at a farm near Burgh Castle in Norfolk.
The shocking footage made headlines two years ago following an undercover investigation by the Animal Justice Project.
Woolger pleaded guilty this week to eight animal cruelty and welfare charges including failing to protect the pigs from pain, suffering and injury.
The 48-year-old from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, represented himself during the hearing at Norwich Magistrates' Court.
The 781 hours of secret filming showed the animals at Innovis Gene Centre East, a boar breeding farm, appearing to be mistreated between May and September 2024.
The covert footage was handed over by Animal Justice Project to Norfolk Trading Standards, which brought the prosecution.
Steven Woolger, 48, repeatedly struck the animals with a metal spiked tool and plastic pipe while working at a farm near Burgh Castle in Norfolk. Pictured: A farm worker abusing a pig
Woolger (pictured outside Norwich Magistrates' Court) pleaded guilty this week to eight animal cruelty and welfare charges
A pig at Innovis Gene Centre (GTC) East - a boar breeding farm in Norfolk
Prosecutors said Woolger had used a sharp object with excessive force on at least four occasions and that his actions had not been a 'momentary action'.
District Judge Matthew Bone warned him all sentencing options including immediate custody would be considered for 'a pattern of behaviour directed at animals over a period of time'.
Woolger will also face an application to ban him from owning or working with animals when he is sentenced on August 5.
Innovis Ltd, which owns and controls the farm, its CEO Dewi Jones, and farm manager Nigel Walpole have also all been charged with failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal as a responsible person.
Dr Alice Brough BVM&S MRCVS, pig veterinarian, said: 'The footage gathered during this investigation showed handling and treatment of pigs that appeared wholly unacceptable.
'The aggressive handling, apparent misuse of equipment and neglect shown in the footage raised serious welfare concerns.
A farm worker abusing a pig at Innovis Gene Centre (GTC) East in undercover footage from 2024
The 781 hours of secret filming showed the animals at Innovis Gene Centre East, a boar breeding farm, being mistreated between May and September 2024
'This outcome reflects the importance of taking animal welfare breaches seriously and ensuring that standards are properly enforced.'
Ayrton Cooper, campaigns director for Animal Justice Project, said: 'Yesterday's outcome is a significant moment for animal protection and accountability within British farming.
'Our investigators documented scenes that were deeply distressing and impossible to forget.
'This result sends a clear message that no farm, company or individual is beyond scrutiny, and that cruelty behind closed doors can carry serious consequences.'
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