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Anti-drones protesters who broke into RAF base are praised by judge
Source: The Guardian
Anti-drones protesters who broke into RAF base are praised by judge
Richard Norton-Taylor and agencies
theguardian.com, Monday 7 October 2013 18.30 BST
Six protesters who broke into RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, home of Britain's first unmanned drones base, were described by a judge at their trial on Monday as "dutiful people". He said it was only with a "heavy heart" that he found them guilty of criminal damage to the base.
Judge John Stobart ordered the protesters to pay £10 compensation each to the RAF, £75 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge. He said he would welcome an appeal.
The protesters argued that the use of unmanned drones was a breach of international law and accused the government of war crimes.
Susan Clarkson, Christopher Cole, Henrietta Cullinan, Keith Hebden, Martin Newell and Penelope Walker all denied criminal damage to a fence belonging to the RAF on 3 June. They spent over half an hour walking around the base distributing leaflets and taking photographs as well as planting a peace garden of a fig tree and a vine.
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Richard Norton-Taylor and agencies
theguardian.com, Monday 7 October 2013 18.30 BST
Six protesters who broke into RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, home of Britain's first unmanned drones base, were described by a judge at their trial on Monday as "dutiful people". He said it was only with a "heavy heart" that he found them guilty of criminal damage to the base.
Judge John Stobart ordered the protesters to pay £10 compensation each to the RAF, £75 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge. He said he would welcome an appeal.
The protesters argued that the use of unmanned drones was a breach of international law and accused the government of war crimes.
Susan Clarkson, Christopher Cole, Henrietta Cullinan, Keith Hebden, Martin Newell and Penelope Walker all denied criminal damage to a fence belonging to the RAF on 3 June. They spent over half an hour walking around the base distributing leaflets and taking photographs as well as planting a peace garden of a fig tree and a vine.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/07/anti-drones-protesters-raf-judge
