Melchett is sent for trial on GM charge

LORD MELCHETT, executive director of the environmental campaign group Greenpeace, was committed to crown court yesterday for trial on charges of damaging a crop of genetically modified maize.

The 51-year-old peer, of Ringstead, Norfolk, was one of 28 Greenpeace supporters who appeared before a magistrate at Norwich accused of damaging a field of maize belonging to the agro-chemical company Agrevo at Lyng, Norfolk, on 26 July. All 28 defendants, who are also all accused of stealing a quantity of maize, pleaded not guilty and opted for trial by jury.

They were freed on bail and ordered to appear at Norwich Crown Court on 15 November.

The defendants come from various parts of the country, including London, the Home Counties, Cardiff, Norfolk, Manchester, Aberdeen, Yorkshire, and Leicestershire.