Somerset pro-Palestine activist in court over trespass row

The case has taken a turn this week as the judge questioned whether the “private land” they are accused of trespassing on was, in fact, private at all.

Richard Warren, 68, of Milborne Port in Somerset, is among six pro-Palestine activists facing trial after a protest outside Woolwich Crown Court two months ago, when a retrial over a raid at the UK site of an Israel-based defence firm was going on inside.

The six defendants are accused of obstructing jurors from fairly adjudicating a trial by chanting and holding signs, while trespassing, outside Woolwich Crown Court on April 29.

They also face a charge of failing to comply with a condition imposed on their demonstration on the same day.

The group – Jennifer Moy, 55, of Westminster; Susan Hampton, 70, of Berkhamsted; Claire Marris, 63, of Lewisham; Moshe Dixon, 25, of Dundee; Richard Warren, 68, of Milborne Port, Somerset; and Adrian Cadbury, 37, of Westminster – all pleaded not guilty when they appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

A trial date was due to be set, but the hearing has been adjourned after it emerged prosecutors had not yet established whether the land they allegedly trespassed on private.

Prosecutor Robert Simpson told the court the information needed “is something still in the pipeline.”

Lawyer Amy Coulter, who represented several defendants, said: “We would dispute that they were trespassing on private land and that they were engaged in conduct intended to disrupt or obstruct lawful activity.”

Prosecuting lawyer: "I’m slightly embarrassed"

Woolwich Crown Court, where the group are accused of trespassing. (Image: Google Maps)

Judge Turnoch told the court: “I feel that that may have a significant bearing on the way in which this case is proceeded with,” adding: “It’s not obvious to me, and I may be missing something, it’s not obvious to me how this land was private property.”

Mr Simpson, prosecuting, told the judge: “I’m slightly embarrassed at the position I’m in, but this issue is still important in terms of needing clarification, and I don’t think we can really sensibly case manage the trial until we have a suggestion.”

Judge Turnoch invited the self‑represented defendants to “reserve your right to vent frustration because it’s not going to achieve anything at this stage.”

They agreed with the decision to adjourn, with Somerset defendant Richard Warren commenting: “While the prosecution sort themselves out.”

The six will return to Bromley Magistrates’ Court for a case management hearing on August 19.