Jury urged to be on ‘right side of history’ as Colston 4 trial draws to a close

Toppling the statue of a slave trader did not erase history but created it, stated the defence as the trial of the Colston 4 neared its conclusion.

Bristol’s history and the global repercussions of the removal of the bronze memorial to Edward Colston were highlighted as both the prosecution and defence made their concluding speeches at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday.

Rhian Graham, 30, of Easton; Milo Ponsford, 26, of Bishopstoke, Hampshire; Jake Skuse, 37, of Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire; and Sage Willoughby, 22, of Gloucester Road, were charged with criminal damage following the toppling of the slave trader’s statue on June 7 2020. All four have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor William Hughes QC told the jury the trial is “not a public inquiry” and is “not about politics or emotions” but about “cold, hard facts”.

Barristers for the four defendants argued that Colston’s statue was “indecent” and “offensive” and that its toppling during a Black Lives Matter march came in the wake of at least three decades of campaigning for its removal.

The Colston 4: Jake Skuse (second from left with Spiderman face covering), Rhian Graham (fourth from left), Milo Ponsford (second from right) and Sage Willoughby (far right) appeared at Bristol Crown Court – photo by Betty Woolerton

“The events did not destroy history, they created history,” said Tom Wainright, representing Ponsford. “Correcting the record is not vandalism. It’s progress.

“All those involved showed that the people of Bristol are willing to show the world what they believe in. They believe in building a better future for everyone and that is a part of Bristol’s history it can be proud of.”

On behalf of Sage Willoughby, Liam Walker outlined the atrocities of the transatlantic slave trade, saying Colston was involved in the murder and mutilation of children.

“I urge you, unapologetically, to be on the right side of history,” he told the jury.

Walker added: “The removal of the statue was not an attempt to erase history, the erection of the statue was an attempt to erase history.”

He called the continued existence of the statue “a racist hate crime”, concluding “if you have a cancer like Colston festering in your city, you cut it out”.

“This action promoted action where there was lethargy, promoted discussion where there was silence.”

Colston’s statue is pulled out of the docks – photo: Rob Browne

The closing speeches summarised evidence heard over the course of the trial, which started on December 13 and was adjourned on December 23, resuming once more on Tuesday.

Giving the closing speech for the prosecution, Hughes told the court: “We do not dispute that Edward Colston’s history is awash with his hands-on involvement with the slave trade.

“We are not apologists for Edward Colston and his ilk and nor will we be, but they are not on trial.”

He added: “You may be frustrated that you haven’t heard from Marvin Rees or the Society of Merchant Venturers. Concentrate on the evidence you have heard. That is what you try this case on.”

Graham, Ponsford and Willoughby were charged with the toppling of the statue while Skuse is accused of being involved in rolling it into the docks by Pero’s Bridge.

Hughes stated the actions of the four defendants were at odds with the peaceful protest that saw some 10,000 people turn out onto the streets.

“The felling of that statue escalated a peaceful protest,” the prosecution told the court. “Graffiti was applied during this time and mass hysteria continued.”

Hughes concluded: “The crown’s case has always been simple. Edward Colston was a slave trader and right-minded people would consider the slave trade to be abhorrent.

“However strongly you may feel about something, however much you hate it, you cannot just tear it down.”

Defending Rhian Graham, Blinne Ni Ghralaigh said the case falls in line “with a long and honourable tradition of direct action in this country”.

She likened the veneration of Colston by displaying his statue in the centre of Bristol as akin to having statues of Jimmy Saville or Adolf Hitler.

Raj Chada, defending Jake Skuse, spoke of the failure to either remove the statue or alter the plaque to reflect the horrors Colston inflicted.

“It’s not the actions of these four individuals that undermine democracy, it’s the influence of wealthy elites and the inaction of the council,” said Chada.

“We ask the prosecution how much longer should we have waited? They had over 100 years.”

Judge Peter Blair is set to finish his final summary in court on Wednesday. The trial continues.

Main photo by Rose Morelli 

Read more: David Olusoga called as expert witness in Colston 4 trial

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: