One of the lou trial who shows the least spark of courage or idealism. For doing what his conscience and beliefs dictated, 'arch-criminal" Tim Daly, the 20-year old poet who set fire to the Imperial. War Museum, was given a prison sentence of four years. efore the prosecution had been speaking ten minutes, and was mentioning Tim's distress a hildren being exposed to the horrors of war at the museum, Justice Thesiger: ha interrupted him with the following revolting comment: This shows a curious twist of mind. The horrors of war was to harp on this continued by responsible for my actions, and I alone took the decision and the action. I belong to no action or society, although I am in deep sympathy with the VSC and other organisations. m not ashamed of what I have done, for it was an act of conscience. I know I risk socia disapproval and ostracism, but this is necessary. I know that in doing this I am true to what I am and what I believe. But collection of jobs Tim had had in order to suggest that he was unstable, unreliable, anc largely unsuitable. It was left to the defence counsel to point out that Tim had left one factory, for example, armaments firm. another obviously unsuitable activity.
Then came the medical report. It stated that Tim had smoked hash and had: had various heterosexual experiences. The defence sprang up in indignation. except to malign and to be prejudicial to the accused and I demand it be disregarded!' Justice Thesiger cut in: 1 always ask for very detailed medical reports owing to the often present element of insanity in the satisfaction from his actions. Strange though it may seem, this is possible'. For an officially "impartial' judge to suggest this, especially so early in the trial, is the most disgusting falsehood imaginable. It was obvious that his mind was already made up, and in fact he showed himself more prejudiced than the prosecution.
Counsel for the defence fought this to get only reluctant admission that perhaps in this case, insanity did not apply. The defence continued to outline Tim's beliefs more fully. The furiction of the museum had been abused, it should show the absurd self destruction and crass adult mismanagement glorification of it.
He pointed out Tim's concern that no one be hurt, and the precautions he took on the night. The judge interrupted again: "Those putting out the fire would be in danger, guards and warders as well as the brigade. There is always danger in a fire of this kind". But he did not seem interested in Tim's concern to avoid hurting anyone while throwing the petrol bombs, or Tim's relief at the end of the fire when he knew none was hurt.
Defence continued. Tim had no ambition - an attitude always condemned by society because he was genuinely seeking and ready to reject whatever offended his conscience. The prosecution and the judge were attempting in their different ways to label Tim mad or non-conformist, whereas Tim's only interest was to appear as ordinary as possible and be publicised such, so that sympathetically. This was labelled 'arrogance' or 'exhibitionism' by the prosecution. But Justice Thesiger had the last word. Added to his previous uncalled for remarks, he spoke insanity. He never actually stated that Tim did it for revenge, or was insane, but to mention it was enough. Borstal was quite unsuitable for him -unlocked fuel store. He needed the longest possible period of rehabilitation. dangers other people's property is a very, very dangerous person.
tion is the revenge taken in court against anyone brought to with an astonishingly malicious interest. Prosecution quoting, a statement that Tim voluntarily wrote himself. I was solely prosecution was really more interested in listing the larg because he discovered they were part of the Vickers group - the And that it was his mother who forced him to become a boy soldier, This has no relevance accused. Also, perhaps the accused gained sexual which is the true reality of war, not the nostalgia and people throughout Britain would view his gesture more - "it would be like putting gelignite in an *One who CA volina The two fanatic demons of honesty and love Held me against emotion while the sky grew mad above I myself determined to see my mission through As the will to free all children from the sins of parents grew.
Memories of soldiers dead for causes true and just Their killing long forgotten as was the soldiers' lust Then on the night's horizon my frantic eyes did find A building almost beautiful but there the war enshrined.
So I made myself two molotovs a result of what I planned For this travesty of beauty I could no longer stand On a Sunday night as half past eight its dome I made Then threw down my freedom where were documents displayed.
Now in my cell my freedom 1 yearn for friends I knew My strength is getting smaller where before it only grew And yet ! know with all my heart atonement for my act For my heart believed in what I did And can man say more than that? 1969 catalogue available soon. Send for free copy Pamphlets from the works of Mao Tse-tung now available in most languages.
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Bai-Ley THE BALLAD OF AN ANTI-WAR CRIMINAL OR VICE VERSA Tim. 2nd Nov 68. «Written in Ashtoro Kemand Home)
The Black Dwarf 14th February 1969 P.4
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of 'the personal revenge motive' often present in cases of this kind. He spoke of unstable people needing to satisfy instincts in an abnormal way. And he spoke again of concealed