Almost nine months after closing down Britain’s Nuclear Bomb factory at Burghfield, near Reading, the trial concluded this week of the eight accused.
On 24 October last year, AWE Burghfield in Berkshire was closed for a working day when the activists from Trident Ploughshares locked themselves to cars and to each other with lock-on tubes to create barriers across the roads.
Judge Toms at High Wycombe Magistrates Court ruled on Monday that there was no case to answer in relation to four of the defendants, as the crown’s evidence fell far short of establishing that the land they had been on was part of the public highway. They were all charged with obstruction of the highway, after they blocked the bellmouth to the Pingewood Gate of the Burghfield site. Those charged with obstruction of the highway were: Jane Picksley- Scotland, Jan Jones – West Wales, Brian Jones – West Wales and Marie Walsh – Didcot.
Speaking after the acquittal, Jane Picksley said: ‘I am delighted that we have been acquitted. Nuclear weapons are illegal, immoral and insanely expensive.’
On Tuesday Judge Toms convicted the remaining four – Julia Mercer from Todmorden, W Yorks; Awel 
Jones from Llanfrothen, Gwyned; Chris Bluemel from Southampton; and Cat McNeil from Glasgow. They had locked themselves to cars to create barriers across “The Mearings” a private MOD road serving the main gate of the site. They were charged with a different offence of aggravated trespass.
The activists argued in court that the activity they had been obstructing was not lawful, and sited a wealth of literature as to how Trident breaches international humanitarian law and the nuclear Non Profileration Treaty. They detailed the grave risk to the public posed by the transport of nuclear warheads by road and the poor safety record of the site. They also challenged the assertion that their trespass had been aggravated.
However, Judge Toms ruled that all four defendants were guilty of trespass with intent to obstruct lawful activity. She gave all of the defendants a two-year conditional discharge, apart from Mr Bluemel, who received a three-year discharge due to a previous similar conviction. She also ordered all four defendants to pay £775 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the verdict, Chris Bluemel said: ”I am obviously disappointed by the verdict but the fight to rid the UK and the world of nuclear weapons continues. There is a wealth of literature as to the illegality of Trident and I am convinced that we are on the right side of history on this issue.”