POLICE searching for a pensioner's body stolen from a graveyard were yesterday studying human remains found at a beauty spot.

Gladys Hammond, who died in 1997 aged 82, was snatched from her grave 18 months ago after a six-year hate campaign against her son-in-law, Christopher Hall, who bred guinea pigs for research.

Four animal rights activists are due to be sentenced next week after admitting conspiracy to blackmail the family.

Police refused to say if any of the four, who were not charged with the grave robbery, had given them the location of the remains, near a German war cemetery in Cannock Chase, Staffs.

Det Chief Insp Nick Baker said: "It is too early to say if the remains belong to Mrs Hammond.

"They will undergo DNA and other tests to try to establish identity. This could take several days."

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The remains were discovered 12 miles from the village of Yoxall where Mrs Hammond had been buried.

Businessman Peter Clamp, 52, who supported the Halls when they ran Darley Oaks farm in Newchurch, Staffs, claimed: "It's fairly obvious that the four protesters due for sentencing have revealed the location of her remains for plea-bargaining purposes.

"They've shown no remorse so far and I hope a judge does not consider a lesser sentence."

Mrs Hammond's daughter, Margaret Hall, said: "We hope for a positive identification of my mother and that we can return her to her rightful resting place."

The Rev Jenny Lister, rector of Yoxall, said: "This discovery is an answer to a prayer and I hope that when the body is identified it proves to be that of Mrs Hammond so that her remains can be laid to rest once again. I pray this will begin to bring healing to her family, who have suffered so much."

Mr Hall's farm was raided by members of the Animal Liberation Front in 1999.

Protesters set up the Save the Newchurch Guinea Pigs campaign to stop the animals being used in laboratory experiments and also began a campaign of intimidation.

Threats were made against the Hall family and farm property was attacked.

Activists then targeted their employees and suppliers, including newsagents and pub landlords, in a bid to force the farm's closure.

Fuel delivery driver Rod Harvey, from Burntwood, Staffs, stopped delivering to the farm after letters were sent to every house in his street, falsely claiming he was a convicted paedophile

He said: "The people who stole Gladys's body are sick. They've caused a lot of heartbreak.

"I'm pleased that this will finally give Gladys's family closure

Mr Hall stopped breeding guinea pigs in January this year.

The four awaiting sentence next week at Nottingham crown court are Jon Ablewhite, 36, of Levenshulme, Manchester' John Smith, 39, of Wolverhampton' Kerry Whitburn, 36, and Josephine Mayo, 38, both from Edgbaston, Birmingham.

r.chaytor@mirror.co.uk

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