South Wales Evening Post
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/
October 16, 2003
Noisy Protesters get Jail Warning!
ANGRY megaphone-wielding dads who
staged a noisy protest outside Neath County Court were warned to pipe down or
face being jailed. Parents4Protest is an action group fighting for
better rights for fathers in child custody cases as they argue some mothers are
always given preferential treatment.
But they claim they were denied their
right to protest when they were warned they could be jailed or fined up to
£2.500 if they continued.
Group
spokesman Layton Bevan of Cadoxton said the protest continued regardless.
Despite the threats of prison or large fines a large number of P4P members
continued with their protest outside the court.
If was another great success with more than 400 leaflets handed out in two
hours, mainly to parents who reacted with massive support and overwhelming
sympathy.
A Neath County Court spokeswoman said the fathers had the right to protest but
the noise became so loud that people inside could not hear themselves think.
“A police officer brought to their attention that because of the noise they were
making with their megaphone, the judge could not continue with proceedings." she
said.
"Section 118 of the Courts Act provides that if someone wilfully disrupts
proceedings in court the judge can order that they be taken into custody until
proceedings end. There is also provision for them to be committed to prison for
up one month, or fined.
"In fairness, once the police officer warned them of the possible consequences
of their conduct they did keep the noise down."
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