10th June 2025
In the “first case of its kind” in Scotland, Lanarkshire woman Natalie Herron was part of an online group who paid for and shared the disturbing videos.
A vile Airdrie woman who watched and shared “disturbing” videos of monkeys being tortured has been jailed.
Natalie Herron pled guilty last month to charges of distributing and possessing obscene publications between December 2021 and September 2022, in the “first case of its kind” in Scotland.
The 39-year-old has today (June 10) been locked away for two years and three months, after appearing at Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing. This is the first time someone has been sentenced in Scotland for cruelty that took place abroad, making it a landmark case.
Herron was arrested on Wednesday, September 7 in 2022, following intelligence from the National Crime Agency. The investigation was part of a wider operation with the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
Police describe her crime as “one of the most horrific cases” they had dealt with and say the material was “like nothing they had seen before”.
Detective Sergeant Karen Murray said: “This was a long and complex investigation which involved a number of organisations including the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and was the first of its kind in the UK.
“Thanks to the work of these organisations Herron will now face the consequences of her actions which led contributed to the cruel torture and immense suffering of a number of innocent animals.
“Through dedicated police work, the investigation team was able to show that Herron was watching and distributing this horrific material and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who worked on it.
“This was one of the most disturbing and graphic cases we have worked on and we hope this sentence shows that even though the cruelty took place abroad, that these types of crimes will not be tolerated and we will use all the tools at our disposal to hold people accountable.”
Detective Inspector Mark Harrison from the National Wildlife Crime Unit said: “This investigation is truly shocking and unsettling. The people involved are not just motivated by money, this is also about getting some sort of gratification from watching animals being tortured and then sharing those images with others.
“It has been well documented in the media recently what impacts these sorts of online images can have on people, especially young people and there are proven links between those involved in animal cruelty and violence towards people, so we take it very seriously.
“This investigation is part of a larger transnational investigation that the NWCU has been assisting with and the NWCU would like to thank Police Scotland for their hard work and dedication on this case. It shouldn’t be underestimated the impact that working on a case like this can have on those involved.
“Wildlife crime can occur in many forms and the NWCU will continue to work with partners from across the world to ensure that we have the expertise, resources, and skills to fight this type of crime however it may occur.”
As part of the wider investigation two women were jailed at Worcester Crown Court on 13 November, 2024 for their part in a global monkey torture ring. Adriana Orme, 56, from Upton-upon-Severn, and Holly Le Gresley, 37, from Kidderminster, admitted being part of the global network.
The online group paid for baby long-tailed macaque monkeys to be taken from their mothers and then tortured and killed. Members even voted on proposed methods.
Le Gresley was sentenced to two years and Orme was sentenced to one year and three months in jail for their crimes, described as “depraved, sickening and wicked.”
Anyone who has any concerns around this type of behaviour is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/monkey-torture-videos-shared-airdrie-31828272