‘Cult’ members jailed over Chelmsford coroner kidnap plot

Mr Justice Goss said the defendants were part of an “anti-establishment cult” who relied on “non-existent powers” to further their aims.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Brookes said he was “haunted” by the incident which had left him undergoing trauma therapy.

It was only “by chance” that a last-minute family matter had delayed his arrival at the court, in Seax House in Chelmsford city centre, on 20 April 2023.

Mr Brookes was driving to work when his colleague, Michelle Brown, said a group had entered the court during an inquest and demanded to speak with him.

“I had to pull over as I was so upset about the incident and thought it was unsafe to continue driving,” he said in the statement.

“I frequently have nightmares about the incident and them attacking me at my home.

“I can never feel fully safe in my house or out and about with my wife.”