Press Releases & Updates 2001

The four East Anglian activists, Barbara Sunderland (72), Davida Higgin (74), Peter Lanyon (68) and Simone Chimowitz (49), were arrested on Remembrance Sunday last year after cutting their way through the fence at AWE Aldermaston to carry out a citizens’ inspection of the site. Charged with criminal damage they argued that their action was justified as a last resort in responding to the threat posed by the illegal Trident nuclear weapon system. The four are each to pay £92.50 for the damage caused and £100 for court costs. These will be transferred to their local courts.

Reading from his written judgment Justice Wooller made it clear he saw himself as bound by the ruling in the Hutchinson appeal in assessing a defence of necessity. Yesterday defence barrister Rajiv Menon had argued that that case should not be taken as conclusive authority on the defence of necessity and referred to the 1999 appeal case of Abdul Hussain in which the High Court held that the defence of necessity was available to the defendants even though they had other options to deal with their very real fears.

The four were far from downhearted. Peter Lanyon said: "It was an absorbing and inspiring two days in court and I had plenty arguing to do. Now we are heading up to Scotland for the blockade of Faslane on Monday!"

Printer friendly version

Home | Top