Press Releases & Updates 2003

The protester was discovered alongside Sam Grafton, 22, a member of Leamington Stop The War Coalition, near the runway from which the B52s depart to attack Iraq.

The pair who were detained at Stroud Police Station, appeared in Cheltenham Magistrate Court yesterday charged with three alleged offences, where they pled "Not Guilty" and they were bailed not to go within 500m of any military establishment in the UK.

Sam Grafton explained, "Bush and Blair are authorising genocide with the use of indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction. No conventional means of protest have been listened to. We decided to put our bodies where they could not be ignored. This war is illegal and immoral and must be stopped now, for it is a crime against humanity and peace."

Notes:

Cheltenham Magistrates Court have ordered that the press may not use Joss Garman’s name because of his age. They may however use Sam Grafton’s.

The pair have been charged with Criminal Damage, Aggravated Trespass, and going equipped to commit further Criminal Damage.

Mike Schwarz of Bindman and Partners, London is representing Joss Garman. Garman is a student of Politics, Biology and Geography at Hereford Sixth Form College, and is from near Llandrindod Wells. Grafton is a graduate of English Literature from Sheffield University, and is from Leamington Spa.

USAF Fairford is 30 miles west of Oxford.

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