Posted By: Mira Trapper
10 years for ARA arsonist. A dangerous man. - 07/15/10 11:13 AM
Broughton sentenced to 10 years in UK (Daily Mail)‏
Sent: July 14, 2010 2:07:27 PM
The Daily Mail
Animal rights fanatic who planted petrol bombs at Oxford University
jailed for 10 years
13th July 2010
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...d-10-years.html
An animal rights activist who planted petrol bombs at Oxford
University is starting a prison sentence this afternoon after being
found guilty at a retrial.
Mel Broughton, 49, was protesting about plans to build an animal
research laboratory in Oxford, backed by the university, when he made
the devices out of water bottles and sparklers.
One of them, placed on the roof of Queen's College cricket pavilion in
November 2006, ignited and caused nearly £14,000 damage to the
building.
Two other petrol bombs were hidden under a portable cabin at Templeton
College the following February, but failed to go off.
Broughton, of Northampton, was originally convicted of conspiracy to
commit arson by a jury in February 2009, but successfully appealed
against the conviction in February this year.
The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial, which began at Oxford Crown
Court on June 16. It took the jury five hours and 25 minutes to return
with their unanimous guilty verdict.
Judge Patrick Eccles QC passed a 10-year sentence, to be reduced by
the two-and-a-half years Broughton has already spent in custody.
He said he had no further comment on the case, but had told Broughton
at his original conviction: 'What is not acceptable or permissible in
a democratic society is for you to harass, bully and intimidate those
that engage in lawful research involving animals.
'The firebombs were part of a ruthless conspiracy to instil fear in
all those connected to the laboratory.'
Broughton, who spearheaded animal welfare group Speak, was arrested in
connection with the attacks in December 2007 after his DNA was found
on the base of one of the unexploded devices.
A pack of sparklers was found hidden in an unused water tank by
detectives searching his home. They also discovered documents relating
to Oxford University and its employees.
Each device at Templeton College consisted of two bottles, filled with
4.5 litres of petrol, strapped together. The device that exploded at
the cricket pavilion contained 12 litres of petrol.
Although non-residential buildings at the university were targeted,
prosecutor Neil Moore told the trial the consequences of such devices
igniting were 'very unpredictable'.
He said: 'Given the large quantity of petrol involved, had these
devices at Templeton College ignited, then at the very least it could
have resulted in a substantial fire.'
During the trial Broughton insisted he was not involved in illegal protests.
Speaking outside court, Denis Burke, a complex casework unit lawyer at
the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Mel Broughton has always claimed
that he was only a peaceful protester.
'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.'
Detective Inspector Kevin McGuire of Thames Valley Police said: 'The
evidence showed the jury that Broughton's interest in the animal
rights cause went further than that of a legitimate protester.
'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.'
A University of Oxford spokesman said: 'The university has always
accepted the rights of protesters to voice their objections within the
law.
'However, we will continue to work with all relevant authorities to
protect staff and students from criminal activity of any kind.'