Reportback from Gloucester Crown Court
daydreamer | 20.09.2003 11:06 | Anti-militarism | Repression | Oxford
Various Fairford defendants appeared in Gloucester Crown Court yesterday,
for 'plea and directions' hearings. The charges are mainly of conspiracy
and/or criminal damage, and many of the defendants spent time in prison
on remand.
for 'plea and directions' hearings. The charges are mainly of conspiracy
and/or criminal damage, and many of the defendants spent time in prison
on remand.
Most of those in court were there as a result of disarmament actions: Toby & Phil,
from Oxford (who entered Fairford with hammers etc, intending to ground a bomber
or two) Paul & Margaret, from Bristol, who managed to sabotage a number of bomber
support vehicles, and Josh, from Bristol, who also went into Fairford in an attempt
to disarm the bombers.
Toby & Phil getting out of prison:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/06/273025.html
All of these cases were transferred to Bristol Crown Court; the judge said that
Gloucester wouldn't be able to cope with such long trials, since it's just a small
crown court with only a few judges...
The next step will be a preliminary hearing at Bristol, where the prosecution
are expected to try and block the international law defence arguments. Both
sides will call 'expert' witnesses, and the judge will have to decide on some
of the legal issues.
Also in court were 3 people charged with criminal damage to the main gate, during
a protest in Febuary when the gate was apparently pulled open by protesters using
climbing ropes:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/02/55037.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/02/55082.html
Since their solicitors indicated that they would not be attempting an international
law defence, a trial date was set for 12 November at Gloucester Crown Court.
[All the above is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but corrections are welcome]
from Oxford (who entered Fairford with hammers etc, intending to ground a bomber
or two) Paul & Margaret, from Bristol, who managed to sabotage a number of bomber
support vehicles, and Josh, from Bristol, who also went into Fairford in an attempt
to disarm the bombers.
Toby & Phil getting out of prison:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/06/273025.html All of these cases were transferred to Bristol Crown Court; the judge said that
Gloucester wouldn't be able to cope with such long trials, since it's just a small
crown court with only a few judges...
The next step will be a preliminary hearing at Bristol, where the prosecution
are expected to try and block the international law defence arguments. Both
sides will call 'expert' witnesses, and the judge will have to decide on some
of the legal issues.
Also in court were 3 people charged with criminal damage to the main gate, during
a protest in Febuary when the gate was apparently pulled open by protesters using
climbing ropes:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/02/55037.html http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/02/55082.html Since their solicitors indicated that they would not be attempting an international
law defence, a trial date was set for 12 November at Gloucester Crown Court.
[All the above is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but corrections are welcome]
daydreamer
Comments
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great support outside court
20.09.2003 11:16
court: a huge orange and silver banner said 'CELEBRATE RESISTANCE',
a nice big PACE flag, a Tony Blair puppet and more...
When the supporters came into the public gallery, though, they found
the wigged ones mumblings almost impossible to hear. One person stood
up and pointed this out, but was told to sit down and shut up.
Afterwards, there was speculation about whether courts are deliberately
designed in such a way (to ensure the wigged ones can hear each other
and nobody else has a clue).
btw
Defendants for 12th November
21.09.2003 10:53
Dic Penderyn