R v Lindis Percy
Alleged 'obstruction of
highway - NSA Menwith Hill
Harrogate Magistrates'
Court
5/6 November 2003
This case was set for two days and the trial
should have begun on Wednesday. Lindis was represented by a
solicitor at the pre-trial review in August, but then decided to
defend herself.
Harrogate Magistrates adjourned the case on
Wednesday after an hour and three quarters of argument because of a mix
up by the solicitor and the CPS concerning a list of non-sensitive
material which had not been disclosed to Lindis by the CPS - unbeknown
to Lindis - until during the application for disclosure
before the actual trial had begun. Mr Beddow (Crown Prosecutor) suddenly
discovered that according to information in his file, the list had
been sent to the solicitor in mid September and after the pre-trial
review in August.
Lindis had alerted the CPS that unless this
list was disclosed she would be making an application to the court for
disclosure. At no time did Mr Ostler (in charge of the case)
inform Lindis that the list had already been disclosed. She was
extremely anxious to avoid any delay of the trial.
Eleven Ministry of Defence Police
Agency officers from Menwith Hill who were waiting to give evidence
or were 'observing' were asked to attend in court to hear from the
Magistrates why the case had been adjourned. They were thanked
by the Magistrates for coming.
There will be another pretrial review on 5
December 2003 at Harrogate Magistrates' Court.
Anni Rainbow and Lindis Percy
Joint Co-ordinators
CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB)
8 Park Row, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1HQ, England, U.K.
Tel/fax no: +44 (0)1943 466405 0R +44 (0)1482 702033
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world: indeed it's the only
thing that ever does." Margaret
Mead
