Jodie Marsh accused of assaulting neighbour with ‘hands around neck’ over farm animals

Jodie Marsh has been charged with assault following an alleged confrontation with a neighbour in a dispute linked to her animal sanctuary.

The 47-year-old former glamour model, who now runs Fripps Farm, is accused of common assault and using threatening or abusive behaviour after an incident reported to police earlier this year.

She is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on April 17.

According to Essex Police, officers were called to an address in Lindsell at around 12.40pm on January 16 following reports of a woman acting aggressively towards a man.

It was further alleged that verbal threats were made during the incident.

After further enquiries, Marsh was charged with common assault.

Marsh has not denied a confrontation took place but disputes the severity of the incident.

She told The Sun she ‘lost it’ during what she describes as an ongoing dispute with her neighbour, alleging a ‘campaign of harassment’ involving trespassing and the filming of her animals.

She claims footage was manipulated to make them appear ‘skeletal.’
Describing the moment, she said she put her hand on the man’s neck while leaning in to speak to him, adding that she was too upset to remember exactly what she said.

She maintains that no injury was caused.

The charge of common assault can carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The incident is the latest chapter in a series of disputes surrounding Marsh’s life at Fripps Farm, where she cares for more than 250 rescued animals, including alpacas, emus, and reptiles.

The sanctuary, which focuses on animals at risk of slaughter or euthanasia, has also drawn scrutiny in recent years.

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Previous tensions have included a legal battle over her right to keep lemurs at the site, which she ultimately won after appealing against a council decision to deny her a wild animal licence.

Concerns had also been raised about her handling of certain animals, including criticism over taking a meerkat to a pub, which Marsh has previously dismissed as the work of online trolls.

The farm has also faced tragedy.

Earlier this year, a fire at the property killed two marmosets, an incident that Marsh described as devastating.

Her upcoming court appearance is expected to address the latest allegations.

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