Northumberland England-15 October:
Seven resisters were tried in Hexham magistrates' court for allegedly obstructing the highway "without lawful authority or excuse" at Horsley, Northumberland (near Albemarle Barracks), on Sunday, July 4, when a nuclear weapons convoy was heading south.
Five defendants accepted a 'bindover' for 12 months and a fine of 100 pounds. Two entered 'not guilty' pleas and went to trial - Lydia Tindle and Andrew Gray.
Lydia maintained (and the police video showed) that she was arrested for walking across the road to the other side as instructed, not for obstruction. She was found guilty anyway, for 'being part of a group and aiding and abetting the obstruction'.
Andrew attempted a 'lawful excuse' defense, using ICJ advisory opinion. He was heard sympathetically and found guilty.
It is noteworthy that the prosecuting barrister conceded, 'the Crown
accepts that you believe that Trident is illegal' and "The Crown accepts
that your belief is reasonable.' In the end, Lydia and Andrew were sentenced
to 12 months conditional discharges, fines of 100 pounds and 100 pounds
court costs.
