Violence again at USAF Croughton

 

Saturday 18 and 19 February 2006

 

Lindis Percy was researching the US Joint Analyisis Center at Molesworth.  This base has recently been selected for an additional role as a NATO Intelligence Center which is scheduled for completion within the next year.  The new NATO facility, according to Pravda, is designed to facilitate intelligence exchange between NATO member states and is to 'become the next milestone in the transformation of the Alliance following the new threats posed by the 21st century.'

 

Lindis walked into the base by the main gate.   She was accompanied by a US military personnel - Kenneth Macgregor who was very courteous, and there was no confrontation or violence from the Americans on base.  PC Staniforth and colleague eventually arrived from USAF Alconbury and purported to issue her with a 'warning'. 

 

Lindis then went on to USAF Croughton.  She entered the base (at the highest level she was a civil trespasser) and was seen by an American who apparently alerted the US military personnel.  What followed after that is shocking.  Despite identifiying herself and saying that she would leave, Lindis was violently thrown to the ground and yelled at by an unidentified USAF 'soldier'.  She was violently handcuffed with her hands behind her back while the unidentified US 'soldier' sat on her with his full weight.  She was then picked up by several US personnel and taken to the grass where she was left - face down and still handcuffed.  Her right hand sustained a cut. 

 

Two Ministry of Defence Police Agency (MDPA) officers eventually arrived.  Lindis pleaded with them to take control of the situation and take the handcuffs off. The 10-12 Americans were clearly in control and would not let the MDPA take off the handcuffs or allow them to take control of this violent attack on Lindis.  One of the Americans roughly pushed one of the MDPA away.  The two MDPA did not intervene but allowed the violence to continue on Lindis.

 

Lindis was 'body' searched by an American woman in 'combat' uniform - the search was well beyond the boundaries of a search as laid down in this country.    Meanwhile the two MDPA officers stood by - apparently powerless (or so they chose) while this assault took place.  She was forced into a waiting MDPA car and eventually driven to the main entrance to the base, escorted by the Americans.  At no time did Lindis show any violence in response.

 

At the main entrance she was issued with an alleged s.69 'warning' ('aggravated trespass' - CJPOA 1994) by Ken Woodhouse (PC MDPA).  She was further assaulted by the unidentified US 'soldier' while the MDPA looked on.  Lindis immediately came back into the base - determined that this case should come to court - so being in breach of the alleged 'warning'.    She was eventually arrested by Ken Woodhouse (MDPA) after both MDPA officers were instructed every step of the way by Eileen McAdam (Sergeant MDPA at USAF Croughton).  She was then taken to Banbury Police Station and was later charged with allegedly breaching the s.69 'warning' after being interviewed by PC Murray (MDPA from USAF Croughton).  

 

During her detention, Lindis was examined by Dr Turnbull - a police surgeon.   Lindis suffered a serious injury - a facial palsy - as the result of the unidentified 'soldier' putting continued pressure on a 'pressure point' in her neck.  Dr Turnbull confirmed that she had suffered a facial palsy due to the excessive pressure used by the unidentifed US 'soldier'.

 

Fingerprints and a photo were taken by force by Northampton Police and the MDPA. The photo was taken when a Northampton woman police officer put pressure on Lindis's neck - the exact place that the unidentified US 'soldier' had previously injured.

 

Lindis was eventually released after being given bail with conditions by Sergeant Kirby (Northampton Police) in consultation with PC Murray (MDPA).  The bail conditions are:

 

1. Not to enter within the perimeter of RAF Croughton.

 

2. You will remain indoors at 19 Bellfield Avenue, Hull, HU8 9DS between the hours of 22:00hrs and 0600hrs and make yourself    available on request to a Police Officer.

 

Lindis met with Inspector Tom Brookes (Northampton Police) after she was released to make a complaint about being assaulted by the Americans.  He refused to take her complaint.  She has made the complaint to Peter Maddison (Chief Constable - Northampton Police).

 

PLEASE NOTE:

 

What happened to Lindis is a classic example of how the American personnel on US bases act.  They are in firm control and occupation and the Ministry of Defence Police Agency, who are paid for and under the operational control of the US authorities, stand by and watch crimes being committed.  Lindis has been in touch with John Prescott's office  (Deputy Prime Minister and Lindis's Member of Parliament) to seek his help and raise the issue in Parliament.