Evidence like 'Cinderella in reverse', trial hears

Evidence linking a woman accused of a series of attacks on businesses and a transmission mast was like "Cinderella in reverse", a jury heard.

Martha Goddard, 50, of Sarah Williman Close, Norwich, is on trial at Woolwich Crown Court in London accused of 16 offences, including intending to cause explosions, criminal damage and making an explosive substance, which she denies.

Rabah Kherbane, defending, said that a Starbucks security guard - one of the sites Goddard is accused of targeting - described the suspect's height as "5ft 9in", but Goddard is 5ft 1in.

"It is like Cinderella in reverse, prosecution are trying to take a size four foot putting it in a size eight slipper," he said.

Another suspect who was arrested but then released did match this height description, the court heard.

It 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 attacked by Goddard.

She is also accused of causing £1m in damage to a transmission station, which broadcasts digital TV and radio, in Tacolneston, Norfolk.

The attacks appeared to be "in support" of Palestine and Palestinians, the court heard.

Fiona Robertson, for the prosecution, told the court "confession letters" had been found on Goddard's computer, which admitted to carrying out the attacks in Norwich, discussed attacking the Tacolneston transmitter, revealed an earlier failed attack in February and her intention to carry out another attack.

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Robertson said police evidence showed several kilograms of materials that could be used to make thermite were ordered to Goddard's home and a box with lighter fluid and chemicals to make gunpowder was found under her stairs.

Clothing matching what the suspect was seen wearing on CCTV and a bike they were riding towards the Tacolneston mast were also found at Goddard's home, the prosecution said.

Sparklers and bottles with holes in the lids were also found at the attack sites and Goddard's home and her fingerprints were found on posters left at four of the attack sites, the court heard.

Kherbane stated the Tacolneston incident "does not look like a one man job", with three other cyclists also seen riding towards the site on CCTV.

The court was told the "confession letters" may have been copied and pasted into a word document and not made by Goddard.

He called the presence of materials to make explosive substances at her home "random, unconnected items found in a hoarder's house", with no evidence she had searched for information on how to make explosives on her computer.

The trial continues.

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