Draft:Essex Coroner Kidnapping Plot
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| Date | April 20, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Seax House |
| Location | Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom |
| Type | Attempted kidnapping, intimidation |
| Cause | Pseudo-legal conspiracy theories |
| Outcome | Arrest and conviction of four individuals |
| Arrests | Mark Kishon Christopher, Sean Harper, Shiza Harper, Matthew Martin |
| Charges | Conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to falsely imprison, sending malicious communications |
The Attempted Kidnapping of Essex Senior Coroner occurred on 20 April 2023, when a group led by Mark Kishon Christopher attempted to abduct Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes from the Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford, England. The incident stemmed from the group's belief in pseudo-legal doctrines and conspiracy theories.
Background
[edit]Mark Kishon Christopher, a 59-year-old from Forest Gate, East London, was the self-appointed leader of the "Federal Postal Court Judges," a pseudo-legal group claiming jurisdiction over the UK and its dominions. Christopher held the title ":Global-Chief-Federal-Postal-Court-Judge &: Plenipotentiary-Judge." His group included:
- Matthew Dean Martin (47): Held roles as "sheriff" and "coroner" within the group.
- Sean Harper (38): Served as a "sheriff."
- Shiza Harper (45): Acted as a "postal inspector."
The group subscribed to the bogus linguistic theories of David Wynn Miller and sovereign citizen-style beliefs, asserting that established courts and governments were illegitimate and that their own laws were supreme.[1]
The Incident
[edit]On 20 April 2023, Christopher and his followers entered Seax House, Chelmsford, where the Essex Coroner's Service operates. Wearing high-visibility jackets and carrying handcuffs and body-worn cameras, the group interrupted an inquest and demanded to see Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes, accusing him of "interfering with the dead."[2]
Fortunately, Brookes was absent due to a personal matter. The group instead confronted other court staff, issuing threats and claiming knowledge of their personal addresses.[3]
Legal Proceedings
[edit]Following their arrest, the four individuals were charged with conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment. Christopher also faced a charge of sending malicious communications.[4]
The trial, held at Chelmsford Crown Court and presided over by Justice James Goss, revealed the group's intention to impose their own pseudo-legal authority. The court found all defendants guilty in July 2024.[1]
Sentencing
[edit]In October 2024, sentencing was as follows:
- Mark Kishon Christopher: Seven years' imprisonment.
- Sean Harper: 30 months' imprisonment.
- Shiza Harper: 30 months' imprisonment.
- Matthew Dean Martin: 30 months' imprisonment.
Justice Goss described Christopher as "intelligent, persuasive, manipulative, and dishonest," and highlighted the trauma inflicted on the victims, including Senior Coroner Brookes and Area Coroner Michelle Brown.[2]
Impact
[edit]The incident caused significant psychological distress to the victims. Senior Coroner Brookes reported suffering from flashbacks, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, while Area Coroner Michelle Brown expressed ongoing fear and insecurity.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "'Cult' members guilty of trying to kidnap coroner". BBC News. 30 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Attempted kidnapping of senior coroner: Sentencing remarks" (PDF). Judiciary.uk. October 2024.
- ^ a b "Essex coroner kidnap attempt: Police details". Essex Police. October 2024.
- ^ "Leader of Essex coroner kidnap plot jailed for seven years". Legal Futures. October 2024.