A GRIEVING mum arrested 15 times at demonstrations to mark the death of woman jail inmates has had the latest charge against her dropped.

Pauline Campbell was accused of obstructing the highway when she went to Styal Prison at Wilmslow to lead a protest rally and vigil following the death of young mum Lisa Marley.

Ms Marley, 32, from Blackpool, who was on remand at the jail, had been found hanged in her cell.

But following consideration of the highway obstruction allegation by the Crown Prosecution Service, a decision was taken to discontinue with it on the grounds that to proceed 'would not be in the public interest.'

Since the death of her own teenage daughter, Sarah Campbell - who took an overdose at the jail in 2003 - Ms Campbell, from Malpas, near Nantwich, has been arrested 15 times.

On each occasion the arrest has taken place at a vigil and demonstration which Ms Campbell leads at prisons across the country every time a woman inmate dies.

But despite the large number of arrests, Ms Campbell has never been convicted.

She said of the latest CPS decision: "From start to finish, this senseless prosecution was a waste of the court's time, a scandalous waste of public money and an enormous drain on my emotional health.

"Yet another attempt to criminalise and punish me has failed and the CPS and the Attorney General have met with a barrage of letters complaining about the vindictive nature of the case, demanding to know how the prosecution could be in the public interest.

"This prosecution has felt like an attack on my reputation.

Principle

"But I believe in standing up for principle because it is one of the few ways in which people can make a difference. I refuse to bow to pressure and will stick to my resolve to hold prison death demonstrations outside jails in England when women kill themselves in the so-called care of the state."

Ms Campbell believes many women need help rather than a jail sentence.

She said: "Forty-one women prisoners have died from self-inflicted injuries since my daughter's death in January 2003 - unless reform is introduced, more women will die."

Ian Rushton, chief crown prosecutor in Cheshire, said he could not discuss the details of why the case had not been deemed in the public interest.

But it is understood the facts considered by the CPS include Ms Campbell's ill health, brought on by the loss of her daughter and the circumstances around her death.

Ms Campbell also submitted information calling into question some of the evidence put forward by the police.

A police spokesman said: "Ms Campbell was perceived to be causing an obstruction as she refused to move from the carriageway when asked to do so by police officers."

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