Protesters 'targeted air base'

Three protesters deliberately damaged and broke down the main gate during a demonstration at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a court heard on Wednesday.

Katherine Holcombe, 42, Geoffrey Cornock, 46, and 20-year-old Owen English allegedly damaged the gate at the airbase where US bombers were stationed for the war in Iraq, on 23 February during attempts to break in.

Mr Cornock, of Grangetown, Cardiff, was also carrying wire cutters with the intent to damage the fence, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

All three deny causing damage.

Mr Peter Blair, prosecuting, said: "These three were engaged in attempts to break in through the main gate of RAF Fairford."

It was not simply a question of pulling the gate, but people were attaching ropes with clips to the metal and then pulling hard on the rope Peter Blair, prosecuting

He said the damage to the gate "cost thousands" to repair.

Ms Holcombe, of Evesham, Worcestershire, admitted being present at the protest when she was questioned by police after her arrest but denied causing damage to property.

Video of protest

Mr Cornock and Mr English of Oakdale, Blackwood also denied the charge of causing damage to property owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Cornock denied carrying the wire cutters with the intent to destroy or damage property.

The court heard how it took six minutes for the peace protesters to break the metal gate down.

Mr Blair said: "It was not simply a question of pulling the gate but people were attaching ropes with clips to the metal and then pulling hard on the rope to eventually open the gate."

The jury of nine men and three women watched a video of the protest, which showed a group of demonstrators rocking the wire mesh.

Judge Neil Ford QC urged the jury not to let their views on the Iraq war influence their view of the case.

The case continues.