Animal rights activist found guilty at retrial of campaign against Oxford University
An animal rights activist from Northampton has been convicted of conspiracy to commit arson and having an article with intent to destroy property in a campaign against Oxford University.
A jury today returned guilty verdicts at the retrial at Oxford Crown Court of Mel Broughton, of Semilong Road.
Broughton was originally convicted of the offences by a jury in February 2009, and successfully appealed his conviction in February this year.
The Court of Appeal ordered that he should face a retrial, where he has been found guilty for a second time.
The trial, at Oxford Crown Court, heard that Broughton, leader of the campaign group SPEAK, assembled incendiary devices using sparklers, firelighters and petrol.
He then used these in an arson attack at Queen's College sports pavilion on November 18, 2006. Similar devices, which failed to ignite, were found under a portable cabin at Templeton College on February 26, 2007.
Broughton was arrested at his home in December 2007 after forensic analysis located DNA evidence suggesting he had been in possession of the devices found at Templeton College.
A search warrant executed at the Semilong Road address located further evidence linking Broughton to both offences.
The court heard how sparklers and a battery connector were found in a water tank and various documents and lists, demonstrating Broughton's interest in the University and those associated with it, were also hidden around the flat.
Det Supt Mark Jones, investigating officer on the case, said: "A lengthy and thorough investigation has today been rewarded with the right result.
"The evidence showed the jury that Broughton's interest in the animal rights cause went further than that of a legitimate protestor. He has been proven to be someone who believes direct action, in the form of planting explosives and setting fires, is acceptable. By doing so, he has shown that he is willing to risk the lives of other people for his cause.
"The conviction today demonstrates that detectives will continue to pursue all lines of enquiry available, even many months down the line. And as science provides an increasingly effective tool in the fight against extremism, anyone considering crossing the line between reasonable, lawful protest and criminal activity should take note."
CPS Thames and Chiltern Complex Casework Unit lawyer, Denis Burke, said: "Mel Broughton has always claimed that he was only a peaceful protestor. His conviction today demonstrates that, in fact, he was willing to commit criminal offences against legitimate businesses and institutions for the furtherance of his cause.
"No matter what your personal convictions are, putting property and lives at risk through the use of incendiary devices can never be justified. Our society supports the right to free speech and to campaign peacefully, but, where there is evidence of criminal behaviour, regardless of the perceived cause, a prosecution will almost certainly follow.
"This case was not and has never been about attacking free speech or the right to protest. The prosecution's case centred purely on what we alleged were criminal acts."
Broughton will have to serve the remainder of his 10-year-sentence, as passed in February 2009.
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Staff strike at Northampton school over academy plans forces closure
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Vow to crack down on anti-social behaviour across Northampton’s eastern district
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
