Holyrood roof protest pair appear in court

Published on Tuesday 15 April 2008 13:47

TWO members of the Plane Stupid protest group have appeared in court charged with climbing onto the roof of the Scottish Parliament.

Twenty-three-year-old Matilda Gifford of Sauchiehall Street and 24-year-old Adam Weymouth of Woodlands Road, both Glasgow, pleaded not guilty to committing a breach of the peace during the demonstration yesterday.

The charge alleged that they acted in a disorderly manner by climbing onto the roof of the Parliament, displaying a banner and refusing to leave when asked.

Fiscal Depute, Neil Allan, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court that the Crown did not oppose bail, but added there should be a special condition that the pair should not enter Edinburgh unless it was to consult their solicitor or attend court proceedings.

Defence agent, Rhona McLeod, claimed this was using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut or a tank to crack a nut". Neither of the accused, she said, had previous convictions. The demonstration had been peaceful and nobody had been injured. Miss Gifford, she said, was an art student and often visited the city's art galleries and museums. Mr Weymouth had many friends in the city.

Sheriff Kenneth Maciver agreed that as neither had been before the court before, a ban from the complete area of the city was unnecessary.

He imposed the special conditions that they did not approach within 100 yards of the parliament building or enter the precincts of Edinburgh Airport, unless for legitimate travel.

He warned the protesters that to take part in any other demonstration while on bail would be an offence and that they might not be given bail a second time.

Trial was fixed for July 16.