At a day long hearing at Brighton magistrates court on August 12TH , Tony Greenstein was found not guilty of collecting money contrary to s.5 of the Factories and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1916.
The case arose because Sussex Police had confiscated a donations box which was on a Palestine Solidarity Campaign stall during a vigil in January 2009 to commemorate the deaths of 1400 people in Gaza.

Brighton magistrates decided that because the Council's implementing regulations stipulate that each collector has to have their own collection box, Mr Greenstein could not be guilty of being a ‘collector’ under the Act. On most stalls there is usually just one collective tin.

The Defence argued strongly that the effect of making stalls apply for a collection permit, when permits are only for one off events or at most a series of events, would be to make it more difficult to run campaigns such as Palestine Solidarity Campaign, No War/Solidarity Groups as well as the many ad-hoc groups who spring up, for example, over the building of a new supermarket etc.


The case of course sets no precedent. What it does mean is that the Police will now think twice about harassing stalls using their collection box as a pretext.

Brian Richardson of Garden Court Chambers acted for the Defence.
See also  http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/aug/12/stephen-bates-diary-blair

For nore information:
Ann Hallam
07900321619