On 30 May 1972, they pleaded "not guilty" as they stood in the dock of the Old Bailey's number one court. What followed was the 20th century's longest political trial (however fervently the authorities attempted to deny the adjective). A blanket "conspiracy" charge - active participation was irrelevant, explained the judge; mere knowledge, even "by a wink or a nod", was sufficient proof of guilt - in effect made any direct defence unsustainable. On 6 December that year, the trial ended with convictions for Barker (who defended himself with great sophistication), Creek, Greenfield and Mendelson, and acquittals for the rest. The jury's appeal for clemency ensured that the four got ten-year sentences, rather than the possible 15 years. The women served less than five; the men were out in seven. Via: The New Statesman
