The Persons Unknown (PUNK) support group was created to provide solidarity and legal assistance to a high-profile trial of seven people, associated with anarchist groups, who had been arrested in 1977.Persons UnknownThe ‘Persons Unknown’ police investigation in 1978, and eventual trial in 1980, concerned six anarchists involved in a ‘conspiracy to cause explosions’ (though the original criminal charge was replaced with ‘conspiracy to rob and possession of explosive substances’. All defendants were aquitted at trial. A defendants support group, with the same name was formed and wassurveilled by the SDS.
Six people initially charged with ‘conspiracy to cause explosions’ then faced charges relating to conspiracy to rob, based on a found cache of firearms and explosives. Four stood trial in 1980 and were found not guilty.These were Iris Mills, Ronan Bennet, Vincent Stevenson and Trevor Dawton. Dafydd Ladd skipped bail and did not appear in court. One person, Stewart Carr, had already pleaded guilty to the charges.
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Zero Magazine ran a story on the Persons Unknown trial in 1978.
The group’s name came from the conspiracy charges against the defendants, which stated that they had ‘conspired with persons known and unknown’. The premise was that the vagueness of the conspiracy charges meant that anyone could be a potential suspect.
HN304 ‘Graham Coates’HN304 'Graham Coates''Graham Coates' is the cover name of a former Special Demonstration Squad undercover officer who, between 1977 and 1979, infiltrated the International Socialists/Socialist Workers Party and spied on several anarchist group including the Zero Collective, Persons Unknown, and the Anarchy Collective. He gave evidence to the Inquiry on several undercovers’ sexual relationships with activists and said that it was common knowledge in the SDS that such relationships took place. His real name has been restricted. Full page: HN304 'Graham Coates' reported on the legal support group. Stuart Christie, British Anarchists Found Not Guilty, Fifth Estate, 26 Feb 1980.
The 1978 SDS Annual Report boasted that two of the people put on trial were identified by the SDS.SDS Annual Report 1978, inc Home Office letter authorising continuation, 8 Mar 1979, Metropolitan Police Special Branch, MPS-0728964.View Document
Special Branch Detective Inspector HN3093 Roy CreamerHN3093 Roy CreamerRoy Creamer was born in 1930 and served as a Metropolitan Police officer between 1954 and 1980. He was a founding member of the Special Demonstration Squad in 1968 and worked for the unit in a back-office role until 1969. Creamer was later involved in two police investigations into alleged anarchist bombing conspiracies.Full page: HN3093 Roy Creamer
, formerly of the SDS, oversaw, or was at least involved in, this investigation.
However, in his evidence to the Inquiry Creamer did not mention the SDS’ role in this, which begs the question whether the claim in the annual report was accurate.
In 1980, punk band the Poison Girls released Persons Unknown to support the defendants.
Source: Gordon Carr: Angry Brigade and Persons Unknown documentaries. Gordon Carr, Angry Brigade and Persons Unknown Documentaries, You tube, Gordon Carr made documentaries about both the Angry Brigade and Persons Unknown trials, interviewing some of the main protagonists., 1978.
Report on an anarchist who resigned from People's Democracy due to their support of indiscriminate IRA bombing and has now joined North London Claimants Union
Report on monthly meeting of the Federation of London Anarchist Groups inc discussion of arrests in Persons Unknown case, held at 13 James Street WC2 on 3 June 1978
Report on weekly meeting of Anarchy Collective discussing copy for the next edition of Anarchy magazine & planning Persons Unknown trial support, held at 29 Grosvenor Square N5 on 8 June 1978
Report on the first meeting of Persons Unknown, held at the Rising Tree Bookshop, 182 Upper Street N1 on 13 June 1978, inc leaflet outlining the case and PUNK's demands (attached)
Report on private meeting of Persons Unknown inc discussion of the condition of Iris Mills in Brixton prison, held at the Earl Russell pub, Pancras Way NW1 on 20 June 1978
Report on a public meeting of Persons Unknown to discuss prison conditions and the law relating to conspiracy and terrorism, held at the Drill Hall, 16 Chenies Street WC1 on 14 Dec 1978
Report on a benefit concert for Persons Unknown attended by 'anarchists, students and admirers of punk rock music', held at North London Poly, Holloway Road on 11 Jan 1979
Report on a private meeting of Persons Unknown discussing participation in a television program on anarchists, held at redacted address on 4 March 1979
Report on a private meeting called by Persons Unknown to form a federation of anarchist groups to oppose increasing police powers, held at Conway Hall on 6 March 1979
MI5 note for liaison file reporting meeting DI McIntosh of the SDS and the introduction of his successor, Trevor Butler, discussing training, cover identities and future coverage, held at Curzon St House on 2 Oct 1979
