The ‘Stoke Newington 8’ arrested 1971

Drawing of ‘The Stoke Newington 8’. Pic The Hackney Gazette.

On 21 August 1971, Special Branch and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided a flat at 359 Amhurst Road, Hackney as part of their investigations into the Angry Brigade.

The Angry Brigade was a far-left terrorist group said to be responsible for a series of bomb attacks in England between 1970 and 1972.

Jim Greenfield, Anna Mendelson, John Barker, and Hilary Creek were all arrested at the property.

Later that day Stuart Christie and Chris Bott were also arrested at the same address. Angela Weir and Kate McLean were picked up subsequently.

The group became known as ‘The Stoke Newington 8’.

The trial commenced on 30 May 1972 at The Old Bailey. The trial became one of the longest in British legal history.

On 6 December 1972 Barker, Greenfield, Creek and Mendelson all received 15-year sentences for “conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property”. These sentences were however reduced to 10 years after pleas of clemency from the jury.

Stuart Christie, Chris Bott, Angela Weir and Kate McLean were acquitted.