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Press Releases & Updates 2005
16th December 2005
Convictions for Blockading Aldermaston
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On 5th May this year the Block the Builders campaign staged it’s first action against the new developments at AWE Aldermaston, Britain’s atomic bomb factory. Last Friday, 9th December, two of those arrested, Matthew Bury and Martin Newell, appeared before District Judge English at Newbury Magistrates Court.
Charged with obstruction of the highway both had earlier pleaded not guilty. The prosecution only managed to bring two of the five witnesses agreed to at the pre-trial review. After a seven month delay in getting to court the defendants decided to go ahead with the trial. Video, written and verbal evidence all clearly showed that the defendants were indeed blocking Tadley Gate with their arms in a "lock-on".
In their defence Bury and Newell produced photos and maps showing clearly that they were not on the highway but on MoD land. Video evidence also indicated that traffic was flowing along the A340. The prosecution suggested that the land blockaded was used by the public as a "cut through" between Home Office and Tadley gates - from the A340 to the A340. A brief discussion between the judge and the prosecution at the end of the trial lead the judge to decide that the area blockaded was a highway despite no corroborating or definitive evidence. Bury and Newell were found guilty and given one year’s suspended sentence and £150 costs each.
There are good grounds for an appeal.
Last updated: 19th December 2005
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