Trio rode with woman before mast attack, jury told
Martin Giles/BBCA woman accused of causing £1m of damage to a TV mast was joined by three other cyclists during a one-hour, early-morning ride to the site, a jury heard.
Martha Goddard, 50, is accused of attempting to cause explosions and criminal damage at a transmitting station in Tacolneston, Norfolk as part of a series of attacks on businesses and a building that houses the BBC.
On Thursday, jurors at Woolwich Crown Court in London were shown CCTV of a woman believed to be Goddard being joined by three others and riding towards the transmitting station.
Goddard denies 16 offences, which include intending to cause explosions, criminal damage and making an explosive substance.
Jurors were previously told the attacks appeared to be "in support" of Palestine and Palestinians.
Brian Farmer/BBCIt is alleged between 3 March and 28 September last year, two Starbucks sites, a McDonald's restaurant and the Forum building, where the BBC is located - all in and around Norwich - were also targeted by Goddard.
During cross-examination of Norfolk Police's lead officer investigating the case, Goddard's defence barrister Rabah Kherbane told the court the group of cyclists at times appeared to wait for one another as they travelled in the direction of the transmitter station - which broadcasts digital TV and radio - before it was damaged on 28 September.
Earlier, Kherbane had questioned why other people were not treated as potential suspects by the police, highlighting evidence from Goddard's phone that showed she was in group chats set up by Norwich Stop the War Coalition.
In these chats, Kherbane said, other people had shared messages with similar themes to the issues raised by Goddard, including the BBC "being biased" and "irresponsible journalism".
The chief investigating officer said another woman had been arrested and her home searched, but she was later released without charge.
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Fiona Robertson, for the prosecution, asked whether officers could have treated anyone expressing pro-Palestine views as a potential suspect.
The police officer told the jury it would have been "unreasonable and unethical" to do so.
The police officer also said that after Goddard was arrested in September, there were no further arson incidents involving the use of thermite, a pyrotechnic substance Goddard is accused of using during the attacks.
Goddard, of Sarah Williman Close, Norwich, has declined to give evidence at the trial.
Judge Mrs Justice McGowan told jurors that the "burden of proof lies with the prosecution".
However, she said jurors could hold it against Goddard for not providing evidence if the "true reason is that Martha did not have an answer that would stand up to questioning".
The trial continues.
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