Rebecca Hill and Tom Stoate secure acquittal of protesters in G4S rooftop action

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Rebecca Hill and Tom Stoate have successfully defended two defendants charged with aggravated trespass arising out of a protest on the roof of the headquarters of security firm G4S.

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They had been protesting against the company's alleged unlawful involvement in running prisons and checkpoints in Palestine, and in the alleged use of unlawful restraint techniques such as those that led to the death of Jimmy Mubenga.

The defendants scaled the roof and remained there for eight hours, unfurling banners highlighting their concerns.

The trial was held at Horsham Magistrates' Court, which attracted a protest in solidarity with the defendants.

Witnesses at the trial included former BBC foreign correspondent Adam Mynott, now head of media relations for G4S, who appeared before the court to testify that all of the firm's activities at their HQ in Crawley were "apparently lawful".

After the three-day trial the District Judge found that he could not be sure that the defendants intended to disrupt or obstruct the activities of G4S at Crawley, given the peaceful nature of the protest and the defendants' focus only on raising awareness of their concerns.

Rebecca and Tom were instructed by Kellys Solicitors.

Rebecca Hill and Tom Stoate are both members of the Garden Court Crime Team.

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