Press Releases & Updates 2001

Dumbarton Sheriff Court

A difficult and stressful day in Dumbarton. Ulla arrived from Cornton Vale at 10.30am. Her solicitor, Ruben Murdanaigum, only received the witness statements on Friday so needed to talk to her before the trial began.

Eventually Sheriff Fitzsimmons insisted that they start at 11.15am although once everyone was in court the Sheriff kept them waiting. He was rude and bullying all morning, giving the interpreter a hard time, and watching the supporters every move. When he couldn’t find anything we were doing wrong he told Alex he couldn’t bring his case into court even though it contained a very innocent picnic set (including china plates with forget-me-knots!) and the peace campers tea and sandwiches.

The trial began and witnesses were brought for three different actions:-
  The Womens Camp Action in March this year when Ulla got onboard a French Frigate
  The Big Blockade in February
  The recent swim to HMS Vanguard. The police gave evidence that they saw her painting ’USELESS’ on the side of it.

There were still a load of witnesses in the witness room when we adjourned for lunch. When we returned we were told that Ulla was not well and a doctor was being called. At 3.30pm court resumed where it was said that the doctor found nothing seriously wrong but that Ulla was suffering from stress. It was agreed to adjourn the rest of the trial until Friday.

Please send Ulla messages of support to Bodil Ulla Roder, HMP Cornton Vale Cornton Road, STIRLING FK9 5NY.

7 Sep 2001 Update:

Today at Dumbarton Sheriff Court the Prosecution case against Ulla was concluded.

Her solicitor made a motion of no case to answer on three of the charges. The PF accepted a not guilty plea for one of them, the Sheriff ruled no case to answer for one and the third still stands. This leaves 6 charges to be defended: 3 for Breach of the Peace, 2 for military byelaws and one for criminal damage.

Ulla asked for an adjournment to bring expert witnesses on Trident, but the Sheriff made it clear he will rule they are irrelevant. An adjournment was agreed anyway and Ulla is back in jail until the continuation of the trial next Friday on Sept 14th.

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