Court Rules in Favour of Model Keeping Lemurs at Sanctuary

Jodie Marsh, former glamour model and animal sanctuary owner, has won a legal appeal allowing her to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs at her sanctuary in Essex.

The 46-year-old had applied for a wild animal licence to house the lemurs at Fripps Farm in Lindsell. However, Uttlesford District Council initially refused the application, citing concerns over noise disturbances. Marsh challenged the decision in court.

In a ruling at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, District Judge Christopher Williams overturned the council's decision, stating he was persuaded that "the noise made by the lemurs is not a nuisance." He added: "I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the decision by Uttlesford District Council was wrong and continues to be wrong. I allow the appeal."

Marsh, dressed in a black blazer, top, and leggings, was visibly emotional during the ruling, shedding tears and later thanking both her legal team and the judge.

During earlier hearings, the court had been shown video clips of loud lemurs in a zoo setting. The council argued Marsh had not provided an official noise nuisance survey. However, her lawyer, Paul Oakley, said the suggestion that the lemurs would cause a disturbance was "speculation," and added that much of the opposition was driven by online harassment.

Nineteen local residents had submitted objections to the licence, but the judge noted that Marsh "genuinely cares for the animals" at her sanctuary. Evidence presented also highlighted Marsh's personal involvement with the animals, including hand-rearing a meerkat named Mabel, whom she once joked about taking to the pub.

Speaking outside the court, Marsh said: "I'm just really sad that it had to come to this. It's a complete waste of time and effort. As the judge said, the decision was wrong in the first place. I am just over the moon."

Broadgate Legal