Members of an “anti-establishment cult” who stormed into a court with handcuffs have been found guilty of trying to kidnap a coroner.
Mark Christopher, 58, Matthew Martin, 47, Shiza Harper, 45, and Sean Harper, 38, wanted to “shut down” Essex Coroner’s Court and abduct senior coroner Lincoln Brookes in April 2023.
They were part of a “conspiracy theory” group with self-conferred legal powers which they believed could overrule the judicial system in England and Wales, a trial heard.
All four have been found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.
Christopher was also found guilty of sending sending a letter or email with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
Martin was separately accused of assault by beating and criminal damage, but no verdict was returned on those charges, and the jury was sent back for further deliberations.
The defendants, from Essex and east London, will be sentenced at a later date.
More to follow.
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