Jubilee Ploughshares Action

5th January 2001

Report from Carlton website, Friday 5th January 2001. http://www.carlton.com/

Two anti-nuclear protesters have appeared in court charged with breaking into an military airbase and damaging trucks and buildings. The ncident forced the Ministry of Defence to review security at the base as Sally Bowman reports.

About 20 peace protesters arrived at Peterborough Crown court today to support the two campaigners who’ve been in custody since November. Catholic priest Father Martin Newell and a Dutch woman Susan van der Hidjen are charged with trespass and criminal damage following an incident at RAF Wittering last November. It’s alleged the two broke into the airbase overnight and caused damage to four vehicles and a garage costing at least 30 thousand pounds to repair.

The pair are supported by an international pro-disarmament group called Jubilee Ploughshares many of whom were in the public gallery today. Both pleaded not guilty to all three charges and their counsel then asked for more time to prepare for directions.

Since the incident the Ministry of Defence has been forced to review security at RAF Wittering.

The two campaigners will return to court on the 19th January.

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