Tour protesters deny explosives use

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 4

Tour protesters deny explosives use

Nelson reporter Three Springbok tour protesters. who police say were involved with explosive devices at the entrance to the Hotel Rutherford during the Springboks’ visit to.. Nelson, have denied their guilt in the High Court at Nelson. Before Mr Justice Savage and a jury' of nine w’omen and three men, Erin Margaret Brown, aged 20, a radiographer, and John David Bridges, aged 29, unemployed, both of Christchurch, have denied charges that on August 22 they had in their possession an explosive, a seal-control firework, near the Rutherford Hotel, except for some lawful purpose, and that with intent to injure or with reckless disregard for the safety of others, they put a sealcontrol firework among police constables on duty at the Hotel Rutherford.

The third accused. Oliver Edward Bullmore. aged 20, a student, -of . Dunedin, has denied similar charges, but in his case the explosive is described as “a class 2 explosive device.’’

Mr A. E. Webber is appearing for Bullmore and Bridges, and Mr M. J. Knowles (Christchurch) is representing Baker. Mr R. B. Squires is the Crown prosecutor.

Sergeants L. Dow and P. Scott gave evidence of flam-' ing or explosive devices being thrown from about 80 protesters at the entrance to the Hotel Rutherford at 9.20 p.m. on August 22. Sergeant Dow said he saw an object thrown from the back of the protesters. It trailed a flame and exploded above his head, knocking off his helmet and that of another constable nearby. He had been deafened bv it for a few minutes.

Other flaming objects were also thrown from the rear of the protesters. Sergeant Scott gave evidence of seeing flaming objects being lobbed from the protesters. He saw One person throw such an object and he arrested her. This was the accused. Baker.

Constable M. J. Legge said he was behind the police line when there was a loud explosion to his right. Several other missiles were thrown. Upon hitting the ground these flared into a yellow flame two to three feet high and lasted two or three seconds before dying to a smaller flame. He stamped out three of these, he said. Constable D. J. Evans gave evidence of having his helmet blown off by an explosive device which burst above his head. He saw Bullmore throw a flaming mis-

sile and kept hjm under observation and shortly afterwards saw him throw another one. He then arrested Bullmore.

. Cross-examined by Mr Webber he said three times that he had a. clear and unobstructed view of Bullmore. „

Sergeant M. E.‘ Dearlove said he was on duty in plain clothes that night. He saw Bridges, as one of a large group of protesters, light a cigarette and cup his hands around the cigarette. He then withdrew his hands and lobbed an object over the heads of demonstrators. This exploded at the feet of one of the police. When Bullmore was searched an explosive device known as a tuna bomb was found in his pocket, said witness.

(Proceeding)