The former LUSU President is on trial over terrorism charges
She was arrested after blocking a deportation flight of asylum seekers
Caitlin BiwerLancaster's former SU President is on trial over terrorism charges and could face prison.
Laura Clayson, 28, an ex-student of Lancaster University, attempted to block a deportation flight to Nigeria and Ghana in 2017.
Clayson, along with 14 others, were involved in cutting through the airport's perimeter fence, securing themselves around a plane preparing to take-off, a court heard. They were said to have attached themselves around the nose wheel and wing of the Boeing 767. The group allegedly put their arms inside pipes and filled them with expandable foam, jurors were informed.
Back in 2014, Clayson was elected the Lancaster University's Student Union (LUSU) President saying she "would be sixth self-defining woman president in LUSU's history". Since then, Clayson has been a consultant to the NUS on Fossil Fuel Divestment, looking into what students' money is being used to support.
Now, Clayson could face prison after "endangering an airport" following the incident in March 2017 along with 14 other activists called the 'Stansted 15'.
Police were called to Standsted Airport after they blocked a plane that was supposed to deport 60 asylum seekers and other migrants from UK Detention centres back to Nigeria and Ghana.
"They placed the safety of the airport in a likelihood of danger," prosecutor Tony Badenoch said, as well as incoming flights having to be deported to other airports.
The group went to trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 1 and face charges under the 1990 Aviation and Maritime Security Act.
The Campaign group End Deportations say is the first time the terror-related offence has been used against people taking non-violent direct action. If found guilty the group could be facing many years in prison.
The trial is expected to last for six weeks and each member of the group are pleading not guilty.
Want more scoops and gossip around campus? Like The Tab Lancaster on Facebook
We're recruiting for writers, editors, meme-makers and Instagram gurus. Sign up here.
It’s official: This is which Strictly pro you would be paired with based on your college!
Jess LawlorTrying not to put Giovanni for my college just because he is gorgeous
Sorry but if you’ve done any of these 13 things, you’re a lazy Lancaster student
Hannah CleryIt’s okay, we all do them
Here’s where the Sex Education season four characters would sit in the Lancaster Uni library
Jessica AshworthLook out for the iconic Otis Milburn red and blue coat floating around on B Floor
Here’s what you can do to protect your mental health as a Lancaster student
Maria HeywoodIn lieu of World Mental Health Day last week
Attention Lancs! Light Up Lancaster is back this year with a brand new street food market
Jessica OwenThe festival is running for an additional day, with installations and performances scheduled from 2nd to 4th November
Lancaster Freshers! Here’s a week of alcohol-free Freshers’ events
Emily SkullFor the sober girlies (and guylies) x
The 11 biggest lies Lancs students tell themselves during Freshers’ Week
You might realise you’re a compulsive Freshers’ liar xoxo
Lancaster University student accused of rape on campus appears before court
Jess Boot-CowieDale Fishwick is also accused of the false imprisonment of the two women
Lancaster University and UCLAN receive six Times Higher Education Award nominations
Emily ParrottWinners will be announced at the Liverpool ceremony in early December
It’s official: Joining The Lancaster Tab will be the best decision you make at uni
Amelia JordanCalling all Lancs students! Come along to our open meeting at 5pm on Thursday 5th October in Pendle Brew
Lancaster UCU announces strike action scheduled for next week has been cancelled
Ariana KubiakThe union has said that any strike action hereafter will be targeted at the ‘very worst employers’
It’s that time of year again – here are of all the Lancaster colleges’ Freshers’ events
Welcome to our newest batch of freshers!
Making a Lancs playlist? Here’s which GUTS song fits the vibe of your academic year plans
Be prepared to be called out, especially if you’re a Vampire girlie x
Lancaster University ranks 14th in The Times Good University Guide 2024
The uni has dropped two places from 12th place in 2023
Over 30 Lancaster Univeristy lecturers call for ban on meat at food outlets on campus
They are supporting Plant Based Universities, who work in 50 universities across the country
Lancaster UCU announces five consecutive days of strike action in September
The strikes will take place from 25th-29th September
Freshers listen up! Here are all the events happening at Sugar in Welcome Week
It’s official! Dick and Dom are coming back to Lancaster
It’s over! UCU announce the official end of the marking and assessment boycott
Five days of strikes have already been confirmed before the start of term
anotherstephen
Co-star romances and age-gap relationships: All of Paul Hollywood’s biggest controversies
Lydia Spencer-ElliottHe’s back handing out handshakes on another series of The Great British Bake Off
Boo! These are officially the most haunted UK unis in 2023, based on ghost sightings
Emily SmithThere have been 59 ghost sightings at one UK uni
MAFS gossip column: Jordan responds to fight scandal and cast knew each other before the show?!
Hayley SoenThe drama really never ends!
Tour buses and family dramas: A brief history of One Direction’s run-ins with the law
Liam Payne has just had his driver’s license suspended
‘You’re scared to step outside’: Two women share their stories of being stalked at uni
This doesn’t only happen to celebrities like Holly Willoughby
Another one! People spot a further editing error in MAFS questioning a staged dinner
Nothing is sacred anymore
Um, the video of Georges squatting has been revealed and you absolutely have to watch it
Ellie RingGive this man all the baguettes
Attention pickpocket! The uni cities where you’re most likely to have your phone stolen
I’m switching back to a Nokia brick after this
Meet Lauren Sintes: The 27-year-old model joining the cast of Made in Chelsea
Of course she’s well connected with most of the cast
Rugby boys and the cleaning rota: Just 19 uni things that are none of my business
The hygiene rating of my fave kebab shop has nothing to do with me!
From secret hookups to cheating: All the biggest bombshells from the Love Is Blind reunion
I’m in shock at all of these
Why do posh people sleep with all their mates? A very serious investigation
The Made in Chelsea mayhem has gone on long enough
‘You’ve made a c*** of yourself’: Shona shares off-screen chat that saw Brad axed from MAFS
‘Bradley said he was behaving like a caged animal’
MAFS UK star Chanita Stephenson calls out the current cast for being a ‘bit too wild!’
She thinks they’re on the show ‘for fun’ and are not ‘focusing on their marriages’
‘Go f**k yourself’: Luke calls out ‘snake’ in MAFS cast who ‘sold’ story of him having a fight
It was revealed today Luke has been removed from the show following a physical fight