Two UK Women Face Prison Time After Participating in International Network that Tortured and Killed Monkeys for Online Videos Shared Worldwide

Two women have been jailed for their involvement in an international network responsible for the horrific abuse of monkeys.

Holly LeGresley, 37, and Adriana Orme, 56, were sentenced after a judge was presented with chilling evidence of their sadistic actions.

These women were part of an online community where monkeys were systematically tortured, burned, and even subjected to acid attacks, with some animals dying from the abuse.

The Network and Their Actions

Judge James Burbidge described the behavior of LeGresley and Orme as “depraved, sickening, and wicked,” noting that their conduct was “beyond comprehension for most of society.”

LeGresley, who had a leading role in the network, and Orme both exhibited disturbing levels of cruelty, promoting and sharing videos of monkeys being tortured.

The court heard that LeGresley had even researched how to acquire monkeys for the network, using the online alias “The Immolator,” which suggested a deliberate intention to cause harm.

Both women were part of a Telegram group where they participated in discussing and facilitating the abuse of monkeys, with some of the most gruesome methods of torture being shared, including attacks with scissors.

LeGresley was particularly involved in organizing and funding these horrific acts.

Shocking Details of the Abuse

The abuse was exposed through a BBC investigation that revealed an international chain of participants.

The group operated mainly in Thailand and Indonesia, where members would commission videos of tortured monkeys, which were then shared online for a profit.

LeGresley and Orme were both active members, uploading images and videos of the suffering animals.

Prosecutors also revealed that LeGresley had paid for videos that depicted the brutal treatment of monkeys, including one particularly gruesome video where a monkey was put in a sealed jar with red ants before being tortured to death.

The Impact on the Women Involved

The court acknowledged that both women had different motivations and backgrounds, with LeGresley showing a clear pattern of sadistic pleasure in her actions.

Meanwhile, Orme, who had initially sought to report the abusive material, became increasingly involved in the community.

Both women faced serious charges, with LeGresley sentenced to two years in prison and Orme to 15 months.

Despite their involvement, the women had never met in person, only interacting in the online chatrooms.

The Role of Online Platforms

The case underscores the dark side of online communities, where such extreme cruelty can be facilitated with minimal accountability.

The women participated in chatrooms where they encouraged and discussed various methods of torturing monkeys.

Orme, under the alias “Noelle,” expressed a preference for mental torture, while LeGresley openly reveled in the suffering of the animals.

Prosecutor Ben Close described their behavior as a deliberate exploitation of vulnerable creatures for the sake of sadistic pleasure, emphasizing the need for a custodial sentence to send a clear message against such cruelty.

The Sentencing and Reactions

Judge Burbidge made it clear that the sentences were necessary to reflect the gravity of the offenses, stating that the women’s actions were not just crimes but a profound moral failure.

Both LeGresley and Orme had initially attempted to downplay their involvement, with LeGresley even asserting that she did not need to face five years in jail.

The public reaction to their sentencing has been one of outrage, with protesters outside the courthouse calling for greater accountability in online spaces.

This case highlights the urgent need for stricter regulation of online communities to prevent such abuse from taking place, while also serving as a grim reminder of the lengths to which some will go to inflict harm on helpless creatures.

Moving Forward

The hope is that the convictions will deter others from engaging in similar behavior.

Advocates for animal rights, including Action for Primates, have emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for animal abuse, especially when it is fueled by online platforms.

For LeGresley and Orme, their sentences mark a consequence for their horrific actions, but the question remains: how can society ensure that such a network never thrives again?

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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