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BARTON MOSS CONTAMINATION CASE ADJOURNED AGAIN
 

Star date: 1st August 2015

COURT MADE TO WAIT TO HEAR NEW EVIDENCE OF CONTAMINATION AROUND IGAS SALFORD SITE

At Manchester Magistrates Court this week, a District Judge was due to hear expert evidence of contamination around the iGas exploratory drilling site in Barton Moss.

A trail of more than 40 people arrested during the anti-fracking protests at Barton Moss in Spring 2014 had to be adjourned again after the prosecutions barrister failed to show.

Ruth Hayhurst reports…

A trial of more than 40 people arising from anti-fracking protests at the Barton Moss drilling site was adjourned for two days running because no prosecutor was available.

The case at Manchester Magistrates Court had been due to hear scientific evidence this week about contamination near the site operated by iGas. Thursday's hearing was adjourned because no prosecuting barrister was available. No-one from the prosecution could take the case on Friday either.

District Judge James Prowse adjourned the trial until Tuesday 4th August.

The court heard that the prosecution's expert witness, Sarah Scott, of the Environment Agency, had said she could not attend the hearing on Tuesday. A stand-in prosecutor, Rob Hall, asked for her to be issued with a summons. If she does not turn up she could be arrested.

More than 40 people are on trial on charges including obstruction and aggravated trespass arising from protests at Barton Moss in Irlam during spring 2014. They have all pleaded not guilty and argued that their actions were justified because iGas had acted unlawfully.

A previous hearing of the case in March this year heard evidence that a field next to the Barton Moss site had "dangerous levels of contamination". (see previous Salford Star article – click here) But an expert witness for the defence, environmental scientist, Dr Aidan Foley, said it was not possible to identify the source of the contamination without more tests.

The results of new tests by Dr Foley, along with Miss Scott's evidence, are now due to be heard on Tuesday.

Words by Ruth Hayhurst
Prisoner Irlam wrote
at 16:43:14 on 03 August 2015
Think the Council need prosecuting for not along with defra for not taking tenforcementhe appropriate action! And throwing the prosecution's case out of court to boot!
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Chaz wrote
at 16:40:36 on 03 August 2015
Respect to the Star for getting Ruth Hayhurst in, she's like an unstoppable truth seeking Pitbull. As for this fracking disgrace? I haven't got the words to describe my contempt for these foul people
?
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