Germans jailed after beach trespass

Three members of a German religious group who appeared in court after illegally occupying a Cornish coastal beauty spot were sent to jail yesterday. The three men were given conditional discharges for two years after pleading guilty to offences following their arrests at Loe Bar, which is owned by the National Trust, on Wednesday, and were each ordered to pay pounds 54 costs. But because they could not pay immediately magistrates ordered them to be committed to prison for a maximum of seven days. One was released later yesterday after his costs were paid.

A woman, 67, was also given a conditional discharge but not ordered to pay costs. A fifth man remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to trespass will appear in court next week.