Delay to Vengeance admitted

The trial of Rosie James and Rachel Wenham began at Manchester Crown Court on 11 September. A group of around 30 supporters marched from Manchester Town Hall to the court with banners and leaflets. The two women are accused of causing thousands of pounds of damage to the Trident submarine HMS Vengeance during an open and accountable disarmament action on 1st February 1999.

In court the jury were shown the hammer which the women used to put vital testing equipment on the submarine out of action. The hammer was painted with trees, clouds and symbols of peace. The jury were also shown the banner reading "women for peace" which security personnel found hanging on the submarine.

The action took place while HMS Vengeance was in Barrow dock preparing to leave for the Faslane submarine base. A prosecution witness admitted that the submarine was delayed in sailing from Barrow after the women's action.

The presiding judge, Justice Humphreys, adjourned the court until Wednesday afternoon. The defendants are expecting to give evidence from then, with expert witnesses likely to begin giving evidence on Friday 15 September.