Coroner kidnap plot 'blown way out of proportion'

A man accused of attempting to kidnap a coroner told his trial that allegations made against him had been "blown way out of proportion".

Sean Harper, 38, attempted to abduct senior coroner Lincoln Brookes when he was part of an "anti-establishment cult" that stormed into Essex Coroner's Court in April 2023, it is alleged.

When giving evidence, Mr Harper said the court was "no longer fit for purpose because it is for fraud".

The defendant, from South Benfleet, Essex, has denied conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court previously heard Mr Harper was a "sheriff" for the so-called Federal Postal Court.

It has been alleged Mr Harper, Mark Christopher, 58, Shiza Harper, 45, and Matthew Martin, 47, wanted to kidnap Mr Brookes, when they entered the coroner's court in Chelmsford.

However, Mr Harper said they were there to "shed light" on fraudulent activities taking place in the building by serving a "warrant".

"There's nothing there to say we were there to injuriously kidnap or harm [Lincoln Brookes]," the defendant said.

"The warrant wasn't to kidnap or imprison anyone, I don't know where you got that from.

"There was no violence from us, we wasn’t there to be violent - we do everything by the pen."

Mr Harper later added: "It has been blown way out of proportion."

Also while giving evidence earlier, Ms Harper said the group did not enter court room two to create "animosity" or "friction" - they intended to "stop the fraud".

"We are not violent people, we are not aggressive people. We have a right to ask questions," added Ms Harper, who held the role of postal inspector in the group.

In a video played to jurors previously, the "cult" were seen wearing high-visibility jackets and carrying handcuffs as they entered the courtroom.

Area coroner Michelle Brown, who was in the middle of an inquest hearing at the time, could be heard saying: "Please don't resort to violence."

Allister Walker, prosecuting, said the defendants had "self-conferred" legal powers and they encouraged people to pay a subscription to join them.

He said the movement had a "significant following" online and described it as an "anti-establishment protest, cult or conspiracy theory".

The defendants have said Mr Christopher was their "teacher" and they were his students.

When continuing his evidence, Mr Harper said he came across Mr Christopher's online teachings on YouTube.

He said his journey started the night before the UK entered lockdown in March 2020.

"Things started to resonate… If I’m being frauded then I deserve to ask questions to know what is going on," Mr Harper told the jury.

Mr Christopher, Ms Harper and Mr Martin all also deny conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

Mr Martin, from Plaistow, east London, also denies the assault by beating of a court security guard and criminally damaging his glasses.

Mr Christopher, from Forest Gate, east London, denies a further charge of sending a letter or email with intent to cause distress of anxiety.

The trial continues.

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