Press Releases & Updates 2004

The Devonport 3 were all found guilty today on all charges, after they were denied the use of their legal defence by Plymouth Judge Overend.

Sue Brackenbury, who has already served the equivalent of an eight-month sentence on remand, was released after she was sentenced to six months. Matt Bury and Shirley Law were each given a 12 month conditional discharge.

When summing up, the judge told Plymouth grandmother and veteran peace activist, Shirley, it was time to put down her bolt croppers and pick up her knitting needles, and to stay the right side of the fence! He acknowledged their passionately held beliefs in the possibility of a world free from nuclear weapons but maintained that they should take their protest “elsewhere.”

A spokesperson for Trident Ploughshares, Joss Garman, explained, “It was almost inevitable that the jury should find the campaigners guilty, when the judge refused the activists the right to put their legal defence of International law to the jury.”

He continued, “Each of the protestors will continue with their work for peace, based on simple principles of International Law ­ Trident is the crime, and threatens international peace.”

BBC News: Three peace protesters are convicted of attempting to attack a nuclear missile submarine in Plymouth

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