Shropshire woman vows to go to jail rather than fill in census

A Shropshire mother-of-five today vowed to go to jail rather than fill in her census form.

Judith Sambrook, of Ragleth Gardens, Shrewsbury, says she will defy any court order over the issue as part of a protest against the way the information is collected.

The 47-year-old today appeared before magistrates in Wrexham to deny failing to return the census form by May 23 this year.

During the brief hearing Sambrook spoke only to confirm her personal details.

The case was adjourned to be heard at Mold Magistrates Court on December 8.

She was greeted on her way into court by a crowd of 20 campaigners who cheered and applauded her.

The single mother, who needs dialysis three days a week, said she had not signed the form because of the involvement of US weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin in collecting the data. Following her court appearance she vowed to continue her fight.

She said: "I will risk the threat of prison because I am not going to pay any fine or sign that census form.

"This is an important fight and campaigners around the world are showing solidarity."

Sambrook said two of her children were 10-year-old twins and they would be looked after by her parents should she go to prison.

She told the campaigners: "Thank you all for turning up. This is absolutely fantastic to see all of you here.

"Thank you very much for all your support and well done for organising this."