A small group of anti-arms protesters picketed a factory as another campaigner was convicted of a crime committed at a demonstration.

A man arrested after a protest against the weapons components factory EDO MBM Technology was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court yesterday.

Gregory Jones, 25, of St Johns Terrace, Leeds, admitted possession of an article with intent to commit criminal damage at a protest organised by campaign group Smash EDO on October 15 last year.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

The case followed the conviction on Thursday of three men and one woman for aggravated trespass at a demonstration in June.

A group of about ten people gathered outside EDO in Home Farm Road, Moulsecoomb, Brighton, yesterday morning. No arrests were made.

Five more groups of defendants are awaiting trial accused of crimes committed at demonstrations. Eight people are also due to stand trial later this year accused of conspiring to cause £250,000 damage at the factory in January.