Members of an “anti-establishment cult” have been jailed for between 30 months and seven years for storming a court with handcuffs and trying to kidnap a coroner.

Conspiracy theorist Mark Christopher, 59, tried to shut down Essex Coroner’s Court having accused senior coroner Lincoln Brookes of “interfering with the dead” in April 2023.

Matthew Martin, 47, Sean Harper, 38, and his wife Shiza, 45, were part of the group and believed they could overrule the UK judicial system.

All four were sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court having been convicted of conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to commit false imprisonment.

Christopher was also found guilty of sending a letter or email with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

He was jailed for seven years, while the other three defendants were given 30-month sentences.