Nottingham Indymedia: 'ratcliffe_on_trial'

Climate activists' convictions quashed

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:35:46 +0000

The convictions of 20 climate activists were quashed by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday. The 20 had been convicted of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, in December last year. However, revelations about the withholding of evidence gathered by undercover police officer Mark Kennedy led to the Director of Public Prosecutions requesting an independent review into the safety of the prosecutions. Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said the convictions had been a miscarriage of justice.

On the newswire: Climate activists’ convictions quashed | HM Court of Appeal: Lord Chief Justice Appeal Judgement on Ratcliffe20 | NottinghamshirePolice extremely disappointed shame | Ratcliffe power station protesters cleared on appe | Ratcliffe Crown Court Trial 'Collected Report' PDF

Previous features: Guilty verdict in Ratcliffe trial | Ratcliffe Trial: Week 2 | Ratcliffe Trial: Prosecution Opens | Ratcliffe Conspiracy Trial Begins | Mass Arrest of 114 Climate Activists in Raid

Undercover police officer back in the spotlight

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:38:09 +0000

The Met Police are facing serious questions and the threat of an investigation into the role of one of their undercover officers. PC Mark Kennedy infiltrated activist groups between 2003-2009. On Monday, the second trial relating to planned action at Ratcliffe on Soar power station collapsed after the prosecution offered no evidence. This is believed to be an attempt to conceal the extent of involvement of their undercover officer, Kennedy, who was one of those arrested in connection with the action. He was described as having taken a leading role in planning the action and has been described as an agent provocateur by some.

Newswire: Second Ratcliffe trial collapses | Ratcliffe Trial: Media interest outside court | Ratcliffe: 2nd Court Case of 6 activist Collapses| Video: Ratcliffe Trial Collapses: Solicitors Statement & media questions on Nttm Crown Court Steps

Previous feature: Mark Kennedy/Stone exposed as undercover

Guilty verdict in Ratcliffe trial

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:43:40 +0000

After a 3 week trial and 3 days of deliberation for the jury, 20 climate activists were found guilty of conspiring to commit aggravated trespass today. The defendants were amongst 114 activists arrested at a Nottingham school in April 2009, on the verge of taking action to shut down the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. Over the course of the trial the jury heard evidence from a raft of experts including James Hansen, one of the world’s leading climate scientists. MPs also testified on the inadequacy of conventional political channels to prevent climate change. The 20 are clear that “Taking action on climate change is not an act of moral righteousness, but of self-defence.”

Newswire: Opening 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Prosecution 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Defence 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Conclusion 1 | 2 | Verdict 1 | 2 | 3

Previous features: Mass Arrest of 114 Climate Activists in Raid | Ratcliffe Conspiracy Trial Begins | Ratcliffe Trial: Prosecution Opens | Ratcliffe Trial: Week 2

Ratcliffe Trial Day 12 – Concluding Speeches

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:51:55 +0000

9 December 2010

Miss Felicity Gerry for the prosecution begins her speech to the jury.

Day 13 – No verdict this week

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:16:00 +0000

Taken from: http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-13-no-verdict-this-week/

Ratcliffe Trial Day 11 Defence Concludes its Case

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 21:39:40 +0000

8 December 2010

Mr Rees for the defence says that there will be no more ‘live’ evidence presented.

Ratcliffe Trial Day 9 – Defence Calls More Experts

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:45:52 +0000

6 December 2010

Mr Rees for the defences calls Prof. Ian Roberts. He is Professor of Epidemiology and Public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Widely published and contributed to issues on health issues and debates worldwide. Active research interests in the links between fossil fuel energy use, climate change and human health, contributing work to the World Health Organization WHO.

Day 11 - Defence Case wrapped up

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:47:02 +0000

Taken from: http://ratcliffeontrial.org/2010/12/day-11-defence-case-wrapped-up/

Day 9 Ratcliffe Trial- Flooding and harnesses

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:23:48 +0000

This afternoon saw the final expert witness take the stand. Dr Geoff Meaden is a Geographer from Kent, who currently consults for the UN. His evidence was wide-ranging, but began with an explanation of the difference between local weather events and the global climate.

Day 9- Ratcliffe trial update

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:54:29 +0000

Day 9- Epidemiology Prof warns court climate change is a “public health emergency”

It's been a sobering Monday morning in court with evidence presented by Dr Ian Roberts, Professor of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Medicine. He explained the real and imminent threat to health posed by climate change. His warnings could hardly have been starker: we risk “generational genocide” as we “sleep walk into a nightmare”.