The first trial arising out of the 'Carnival Against the Arms Trade' ended with convictions last week. At the Carnival against the Arms Trade up to 800 activists marched to the EDO MBM/ITT arms factory in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, pushed through police cordons into the factory car park and smashed windows and the Managing Director's car. The factory manufactures weapons components used by the US, UK and Israeli militaries. Four people were charged with aggravated trespass (section 68) for entering the premises. All four were convicted. This conviction was a surprise as the case for aggravated trespass was flimsy (as no business was going on as the factory had shut down and there was no proof of intention to disrupt). One person was aquitted of damaging the managing directors car with a wire basket. One person was found guilty of criminal damage to the car. One man was convicted for obstructing a police officer. Two people, decommisioners Robert Alford and Elijah Smith, received a fine, which was cancelled out by time served, one person received a twelve month conditional discharge one person received eighty hours community service for criminal damage. In a separate case in Lewes Crown Court one person, accused of intention to cause criminal damage (carrying a balloon full of paint), at Smash EDO's Shut ITT demonstration in October 2008, was persuaded to plead guilty after a promise of leniency from the judge. He received a conditional discharge. This week Chris Bluemel, a music teacher from Southampton, will appear in Brighton Magistrates Court, charged with assaulting a police officer at last year's Carnival Against the Arms Trade on 4-5 June. He is pleading not guilty on the grounds of self defence and will present a photograph of the cuts and bruises inflicted on him by policemen with batons as he was pushed out of the gates at EDO. Support in court will be much appreciated. A further 4 people's cases have been put on hold after the judge ruled that one of the prosecution's key videos is inadmissible. The CPS are appealing this ruling to the High Court.