JURORS have retired to consider their verdict in the trial of animal rights campaigner Mel Broughton.

The jury was sent out to begin its deliberations at 12.30pm yesterday.

Broughton, 50, of Semilong Road, Northampton, denies a charge of conspiracy to commit arson and an alternative charge of possession of an article with intent to destroy property.

The charges relate to incidents at Templeton College in February 2007 and The Queen’s College cricket pavilion in November 2006.

The case continues.