Pensioners cheered in court over arms demo
TWO activist pensioners were cheered as they appeared in court for spray painting slogans against an arms fair.
Susan Ferguson, 73, and Ruth Knox, 70, were at the October demo when they used red paint to write slogans on the walls of the ACC Liverpool complex.
Luke Unsworth, prosecuting, said they were part of the protest against the AOC Electronic Warfare event, which drew significant opposition.
Liverpool Council and Mayor Joanne Anderson came under pressure to cancel the event. She said she was appalled that it was going ahead but was powerless to stop it.
The damage to ACC Liverpool property was estimated to be £583.76.
Ferguson and Knox, representing themselves at Liverpool magistrates court, said they didn’t dispute the case against them but said they felt their protest was justified.
Ferguson pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
Knox admitted having possession of an article with intent to destroy property.
Both were both given conditional discharge for 12 months and were fined £200 and £100 respectively.