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The defendants - Dr Margaret Jones and Paul Milling
They disabled support vehicles at Fairford air base to disrupt the 'Shock and Awe' campaign.
After three and a half years of legal wrangling, the trial of Dr Margaret Jones and Paul Milling for conspiracy to cause criminal damage at Fairford air base in March 2003 began today. If convicted, they face up to ten years in jail. A diverse, colourful and dignified group of well-wishers and supporters turned up to hold a vigil outside Bristol Crown Court.
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An archive of background information.
Updated 15 Sept 2006
http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=25379
RE-TRIAL ORDERED IN CASE OF FAIRFORD DEFENDANTS
A judge at Bristol Crown Court has ordered a re-trial in the case of two peace activists charged with damaging military equipment to stop planes taking off. After a day and a half of debate, the jury failed to reach any clear verdict.
Paul Milling and Margaret Jones are charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage after disabling several dozen bomb carrying and fuel vehicles at RAF Fairford in March 2003. They were attempting to hinder take-off of 14 B-52 planes to bomb Iraq at the start of the 2003 invasion. Milling and Jones say this was a bid to delay the planes’ departure for Baghdad and give more people time to flee the city – thus protecting property and helping to prevent war crime.
The trial begins next week at the same court, of Phil Pritchard and Toby Olditch, charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage for trying to reach and disable a B-52 bomber at Fairford.
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