Chelmsford: Group sentenced after coroner kidnap plot
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The leader of group of people who were found guilty of attempting to kidnap the Essex Coroner has been sentenced to seven years in jail thanks to the work of fast-acting officers.
Mark Kishon Christopher led Sean Harper, Shiza Harper, and Matthew Dean Martin, each of whom were sentenced to a total of 30 months in custody at Chelmsford Crown Court today, Monday 28 October.
The group were previously convicted of multiple offences including conspiracy to commit kidnap.
On 20 April 2023, the group entered Seax House in Chelmsford in the early afternoon, interrupted a live inquest and demanded to know where HM Coroner Lincoln Brookes was, saying that they were shutting the court down.
The group were wearing high visibility jackets, body worn cameras and carrying handcuffs.
After learning that the HM Senior Essex Coroner was not in the building, the group intimidated a sitting Coroner in the court, used violence and claimed to know where she and her staff lived. This caused significant distress to the coroner in court and her staff who feared they may be kidnapped and assaulted given the possession of the handcuffs and threats made.
After an alarm was sounded, police officers quickly arrived at the building and were confronted by Kishon Christopher who repeatedly told them his group were “shutting the court down”. Enquiries revealed that they belonged to an Organised Pseudo legal Commercial Argument (OPCA) Group called the Federal Postal Court Judges.
Groups such as these, similar to Sovereign Citizen movements, do not respect the law of the land and see themselves as a ‘court of the people’ who claim extraordinary authority.
Such groups have rules that mimic the structure and language of “conventional” law.
This “pseudo law” superficially appears to be law, but uses unusual language, seals, and letter to confuse recipients.
This particular group also believed that they have power of arrest and previously discussed corporal punishment.
They were arrested close to another court, in Southend. Searches were conducted at their home addresses where officers found items indicating that they were planning on causing harm to Mr Brookes.
They were charged with multiple offences including conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.
A two-week trial began at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, 16 July.
Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Harper, Harper, and Martin were “students” of Kishon Christopher and had become fans by watching his training videos.
Their plans were to overpower the coroner and execute a warrant by using fictional pseudo powers which they believed they had.
HM Senior Coroner Mr Lincoln Brookes bravely gave evidence during the trial, explaining how he feared for the safety of his family after the incident.
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Mark Kishon Christopher -
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Matthew Dean Martin -
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Sean Harper -
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Shiza Harper
Guilty
Sean Harper, 38 and Shiza Harper, 45 both of Benfleet Park Road, Benfleet were found guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.
Matthew Dean Martin, 47, of Evelyn Dennington Road in London, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment. He was found not guilty of criminal damage and assault by beating.
Mark Kishon Christopher, 59, of Claremont Road in London, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment. He was also found guilty of sending a letter or email with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
The group were sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Mark Kishon Christopher was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison for all offences. He was ordered to served at least two-thirds of his sentence while the remainder will be served on licence.
Matthew Dean Martin, Sean Harper and Shiza Harper were each sentenced to 30 months in prison and will serve half of that in custody.
Considerable fear caused
Restraining orders relating to Christopher and Martin were also granted, which stipulate they cannot have any contact with the victims and cannot enter any courthouse in England and Wales without prior appointment.
Sentencing the group, His Honour Mr Justice Goss told the group that they “believe and still believe that [Christopher] had helped you… You were, and remain, committed to him, and to his status”.
He added their actions had a “significant degree of planning and preparation” and left each victim psychologically affected.
He added: “Considerable fear was caused to victims of all your actions on that day. These were offences of high culpability and deterrent sentences are appropriate.”
Unusual and challenging investigation
Detective Chief Inspector Nathan Hutchinson said:
“There’s no doubt that this was an unusual and challenging investigation for Essex Police detectives.
“The lead investigator PC Thomas Berry and colleagues in our CID, had the challenge of cutting through this group’s ludicrous beliefs in order to identify the motive, offences committed and identify any wider threats, especially given concern around HM The King’s approaching Coronation.
“Whilst we appreciate freedom of opinion, this group’s ideologies are nothing more than nonsensical intimidation and oppression with no regard for the law.
“Kishon Christopher told the group that they could take control of an active court, make arrests, and threaten public servants who were just trying to do their job supporting the people of Essex.”
DCI Hutchinson added:
“I must commend the bravery of HM Coroner Ms Michelle Brown OBE and her staff present in the court and that of HM Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes the target of this terrible plot, for their cooperation and resilience throughout this investigation.
"The quick reaction of Essex Police and this sentencing is a strong deterrent to other groups planning similar illegal activity. Essex Police will always act swiftly to bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe.”
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