Peace witness priest imprisoned
Martin Newell sentenced to twenty-eight days in prison
by Ian Kirk-Smith
21st March 2014
A Catholic priest has been sentenced to twenty-eight days in prison for non-payment of fines arising from numerous nonviolent peace protests against war and war preparations.
Father Martin Newell told Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 15 March that ‘for reasons of faith and conscience’ he would not pay fines of £565 that had been imposed following protests against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the UK’s use of armed drones and the Trident nuclear weapons system.
He explained: ‘The acts of witness that resulted in the fines I have refused to pay were a form of conscientious objection. Refusing to pay them is a continuation of that objection.’
Father Newell is a member of the Passionist Order.
