Two British women charged over monkey torture network where animals are killed for sexual thrills

4 April 2024, 10:49 | Updated: 4 April 2024, 10:51

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Two British women have been charged after a global monkey gang involved in torturing the animals was exposed
Two British women have been charged after a global monkey gang involved in torturing the animals was exposed. Picture: BBC

By StephenRigley

Two British women have been charged in relation to a monkey torture ring where fiends pay for the animals to be killed for sexual kicks.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Holly LeGresley, 37, and Adriana Orme, 55, are accused of publishing an obscene article and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The duo, from Kidderminster and Upton-upon Severn, are due to appear at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on May 7.

A year-long BBC investigation found the cruel ring was operating around the world with hundreds paying Indonesians to torture and kill infant long-tailed macaques on video.

A global monkey torture gang was exposed after a year long investigation
A global monkey torture gang was exposed after a year long investigation. Picture: BBC

Read More: Plan unveiled to end years of monkey mayhem in city in Thailand

Read More: 'Chimaera' monkey with glowing fingertips and eyes created by Chinese scientists

Torture methods include setting the animals on fire and putting them in blenders.

They discovered hundreds of people were paying Indonesians to kill infant long-tailed macaques on video.

Michael Macartney, 50, dubbed the 'Torture King', was charged in Virginia with conspiracy to create and distribute animal-crushing footage.

He managed multiple chat groups for monkey torture enthusiasts from across the globe on the coded messaging app Telegram. 

The messaging groups were used to present suggestions for monkey torture videos, such as setting monkeys on fire or even putting one in a blender.The video suggestions were then sent alongside payments to video-makers in Indonesia who conducted the abuse, sometimes killing the baby long-tailed monkeys.

The BBC reports Macartney has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges and faces up to five years in jail.

At least 20 people have been investigated over the sick videos - including three women living in the UK who were arrested in 2022.

Two people have been imprisoned in Indonesia, while David Christopher Noble and Nicole Devilbiss have been charged in the US.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt of France lift the Six Nations Trophy after their team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Scotland at Stade de France

France win Six Nations after beating Scotland, shattering England title hopes

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

Rich people are getting married at a way higher rate than those with lower incomes as the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor hits a record 51%.

'Only rich people are getting married', new research suggests, as ‘marriage gap’ widens

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

The Forum Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant chef uses CCTV to prove 'nonsense' reviews wrong

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime