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GM Crop Damage Fine

Hector Christie from Instow in North Devon has been fined almost four thousand pounds after damaging crops at the Rothampsted Research Centre in Hertfordshire in May.

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£4,000 fine for GM crop damage

A wealthy landowner says he won't pay his fine after admitting breaking into a GM crop research centre.

Hector Christie, who's from Instow in North Devon, scaled a fence and pulled up crops at the Rothampsted Research Centre in Hertfordshire in May. Today he pleaded guilty to criminal damage at St Albans Crown Court and was ordered to pay almost 4 thousand pounds

Devon man fined £4,000 for GM centre damage

A Devon man has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 in compensation to a research centre carrying out a GM wheat experiment after admitting causing criminal damage.

Hector Christie was arrested following a break-in at a research centre in Hertfordshire, where a trial of GM wheat is taking place.

The 50-year-old from Instow, was fined £350 and ordered to pay compensation of £3,850. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Scientists at the centre are conducting a controlled GM wheat experiment, combining modern genetic engineering with their knowledge of natural plant defences, to test whether wheat which can repel aphids works in the field.

This act of vandalism has attempted to deny us all the opportunity to gather knowledge and evidence, for current and future generations, on one possible technological alternative approach to get plants to defend themselves and therefore reduce pesticide use.

– Dr Maurice Moloney, Director and Chief Executive of Rothamsted Research

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