Protesters in 'passive resistance'

The trial is taking place at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

A demonstrator alleged he was carrying out a "long and honoured tradition of passive resistance" when arrested for uprooting plants in a protest against genetically modified crops.

Matthew Herbert has denied obstructing police or recklessly damaging plants without reasonable excuse at an oil seed rape field in Penicuik, Midlothian on 28 March last year.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Herbert, 29, from Boarhills, in Fife, took a stand when charged with obstructing police by refusing to leave the field and causing reckless damage without reasonable excuse.

Herbert and co-accused Mark Ballard, James Mackenzie, both 28 and Alan Tolmie, 33, all of Edinburgh, have denied the charges.

Scaled fence

Catherine Johnson, 31, from Dunshalt, near Cupar, and Stokley Webster, 29, from London, have denied obstructing police by refusing to leave the field.

The court was told that a group of protesters marched to Boghall farm playing musical instruments.

About half climbed over a barbed wire fence and began ripping up oilseed rape plants.

Police sergeant Keith Davie described James MacKenzie.

Decoy crops

He said: "He was lying on the ground, ripping up plants and throwing them into the air.

"He was told to stop at least three times. As we got close up to him he stopped and lay on his front putting his hands under his body and lay still.

"He was told to get to his feet but refused and was handcuffed."

The court heard on Monday that the protesters had ripped up decoy plants worth around £1.50, leaving the GM trial crops in tact.

The hearing continues.