Ex-model's animal sanctuary hell from online trolls

Jodie Marsh has described her life as "hell" due to online "trolls" targeting her animal sanctuary, Fripps Farm. The ex-glamour model alleges that prejudice and discrimination are behind the attacks, which have included accusations of poor animal welfare. Marsh recently won a legal battle against Uttlesford District Council after it refused her a wild animal licence in June.

Marsh, who founded the rescue centre in 2020 and partially funded it through OnlyFans, took the council to court for denying her request to adopt eight ring-tailed lemurs. A judge overturned the council's decision, stating they had ignored evidence of Marsh's suitability as a keeper. The council reportedly spent £34,323 on the case.

Marsh claims that since the court ruling, "trolls" have used artificial intelligence to create videos depicting her animals as unwell and shared them online. The intense online and in-person vilification has severely impacted her mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts and requiring anti-depressant prescriptions. She feels the council's actions and expenditure were "disgusting."

The judge had previously noted "considerable animosity" between parties involved and criticized the council for contradictory views and questioning the noise level of lemurs despite expert admission it was unmeasurable. Marsh believes the planning committee harbored an agenda against her, possibly due to her prominent status in the village.

Some opposition focused on Marsh's past interactions with animals, like taking a meerkat to a pub. A council officer mentioned Marsh's "character" influenced the decision to reject her application. Despite these criticisms, Marsh asserts that Fripps Farm is her life's dream, established with earnings from her past career in entertainment.