Tuesday 11th May 04 saw 5 waterborne protesters appearing at Stratford Magistrates Court to answer for the heinous offence of swimming in the Royal Docks on the 6th September in the run up to DSEI.

The charge is a byelaw offence, civil in nature not criminal, however the Police included PACE, making it subject to criminal proceedings. The police you see where so concerned for their safety, the fact that they were responsible for the protesters ending up in the water did not appear to occur to them. In addition the protesters were well equipped, lifejackets etc, and so were acting in a very safe manner having rowed to the locks in Dragon boats bought from Toys r us.

The prosecution put 10 police officers in the dock, about 15 were at the court, so they managed to contradict each other somewhat, but it was heart warming to hear their litany of how concerned they where for the safety of the protesters given that 2 frigates were scheduled to transit the locks enroute to the Excel. Funny that, the warships were still in the Thames and not about to enter the locks, and 4 much larger powered police boats set about the dragons causing a right aquatic bun fight lasting about 40mins.

The CPS however forgot, or could not produce the correct Byelaws however, so the defence argued there was no case to answer and the judge had to agree. Court costs were estimated at £25,000.

The dockland dragons are seeking legal advice regarding a civil suit for damages against the police marine units.