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Animal activists in High Court fight
A PAIR of animal rights activists from South Tyneside have launched a High Court battle against police for wrongful arrest.
Trevor Holmes and Kerry Duggan are among 15 campaigners seeking 250,000 from Thames Valley Police for false imprisonment, breach of human rights, malicious prosecution and assault and battery after a demonstration which descended into chaos.
The group had been protesting outside a theatre in Oxford in June 2006 against animal testing when officers ordered them to move.
It is alleged the police were heavy-handed during the sit-down protest and campaigners were arrested, handcuffed and dragged to police vans.
Mr Holmes, 51, from West Boldon, was arrested at his home 15 days later and charged with breaching the Public Order Act and obstructing the highway.
But when Mr Holmes finally faced court a year later, he and 13 others walked free after a judge condemned police for unlawfully halting the protest.
All 14 were cleared of refusing police orders to break up the demonstration.
Now 15 members of Speak who were at the Oxford demonstration, including Mr Holmes and Ms Duggan, of South Shields, have lodged a writ in the High Court, in which they demand the six-figure sum from Thames Valley Police's Chief Constable.
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Weather for South Shields
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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