Press Releases & Updates 2007

Jane Tallents (49), from Helensburgh, was accused of a breach of the peace for her part in a Trident Ploughshares blockade of Faslane naval base in April this year, as part of the ongoing Faslane 365 campaign. At the conclusion of the Crown case she submitted that there was no case to answer. She cited the case of a group of protesters who had blockaded the Weir Pumps factory in Glasgow in 2005 and whose submission of no case to answer had been accepted by a Glasgow Sheriff, an acquittal which was upheld by the High Court (c.f. PF Dyer v Brady). Jane argued that, as with the Weir Pumps case, her actions had not been sufficiently flagrant to warrant a breach of the peace conviction, given that the blockade was small in scale and there was no evidence of serious disturbance. Justice of the Peace Fraser Gillies rejected her submission and the case continued. As evidence of the reasonableness of her actions she told the court that no less than 27 members of the Scottish Parliament had indicated their support for the ongoing blockades of Faslane.

JP Gillies found her guilty and fined her £300.

Barbara Dowling (62), from Glasgow was fined £180 and given a compensation order of £575 for painting peace slogans (Peace, Joy, Baby Jesus Hates Bombs) at the entrance to RNAD Coulport in December last year. Barbara told the JP that she had often stood in the court and given an explanation of the faith and conviction that had led her to act. However while she had been listened to she had not been heard and she intended to say no more. Both women made it clear that they will not pay the fines.

Jane said: "Unlike other JPs we meet in Helensburgh Court Mr. Gillies makes obvious his personal bias against what we stand for. He shows his disdain for us by giving the case only minimal attention, deciding for the Crown without asking for defence submissions, making his mind up on the spot without the time and consideration that is due, and handing out punishments much more severe than other justices. The hopeful thing is that his attitude is these days quite untypical, as civil, community and political life in Scotland makes its intolerance of Trident ever clearer."

On 28th August Trident Ploughshares activists will begin their two-week disarmament camp at Coulport. Meanwhile the Faslane 365 blockades continue with groups in the next few weeks from Japan and Assynt.

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