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Press Releases & Updates 2003
25th February 2003
Faslane Court Gets Curiouser and Curiouser
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Today two members of a Northumbrian group who enacted the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland at a blockade of Faslane naval base in February last year were given heavy fines in Helensburgh District Court for alleged breaches of the peace.
The dazzling Harry Lauder tartan jacket worn by Justice of the Peace Fraser Gillies was completely upstaged by the colourful attire of the Mad Hatters who sported a Queen of Hearts in crimson dress with gauze veil and a Hatter complete with a two-foot topper. There was also a large croquet-playing pink flamingo which was barred from the court.
The Queen (aka Roberta Stewart, 44, from Newcastle) was fined £175 for being part of a group locked together at the blockade of the south gate of the base on 12th February 2002. Roberta’s 13 year-old daughter, Analisa, gave evidence on her mother’s behalf, telling the court what the purpose of the blockade was and how happy she had been to be part of it.
The Mad Hatter (aka Lottie Hann 47, also from Newcastle) told the court that the situation was urgent due to the willingness of the US and the UK to indulge in pre-emptive military strikes, including so-called "limited nuclear strikes". They had chosen the Alice in Wonderland theme to give their protest a light-hearted and unthreatening touch. The blockade had been entirely peaceful, well organised and negotiated. Roberta’s other daughter, Danielle, gave evidence on behalf of Lottie, confirming the peaceful nature of the event and its serious purpose. Lottie was fined £180.
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