‘Cult’ members found guilty of trying to kidnap Essex coroner

The defendants were part of an online subscription-based movement called the Federal Postal Court, which had self-conferred legal powers, the trial heard.

Christopher, from Forest Gate, east London, was the chief judge, with Martin and Sean Harper his sheriffs and Shiza Harper a “postal inspector”.

Mr Walker said they had a “significant following” online and described the group as an “anti-establishment protest, cult or conspiracy theory”.

The defendants told the trial that Christopher, who sold online courses for thousands of pounds, was their “teacher” and they were his students – and that the allegations had been “blown way out of proportion”.

Mr Brookes said he was alerted to them entering Essex Coroner’s Court by his colleague, area coroner Michelle Brown, who told him “they are coming to get you”.

“Because of what she said I turned around and started driving home as fast as I could because I was fearful for the safety of my family,” he said.

Becoming tearful in the witness box, he added: “I pulled over, in fact, because I was a bit upset.”