Starting in 1981 mass trials began that would became known as the "supergrass trials." This was done as a means of trying large numbers of alleged paramilitary volunteers. It was illegal to be a member of a proscribed organization and this method was seen as a way to quickly deplete their ranks.
Numerous convictions were obtained, many times on the word of a single informant "recruited" from present or past members of such groups as the IRA, UVF, and INLA. The act of informing was known as "turning supergrass" taken from the slang word "grass" used by the British mob to describe an informant.
A total of nearly 600 people were arrested between 1981 and 1985 when the supergrass system was abandoned. While only 27 people turned Queen's evidence, some were instrumental in convicting up to 30 or 40 people on their testimony alone. There was no jury or other testimony offered in favor of the defendant. The proceedings were heard by and ruled on by only a single judge.
This coin is a reference to a UVF informant named William "Budgie" Allen who was instrumental in convicting about two dozen of his former mates. Allen was two years into a fourteen year sentence when he turned supergrass. Though he later recanted his testimony the remainder of his sentence was commuted. In 1986 after being released from prison he fled to the south of England where he lived for many years. Some informants were not so fortunate. Despite witness protection programs provided for them, a number were later killed when contracts were put out on their lives.
The meaning of the initials or acronym BJR struck across the Queen's portrait is unknown to me. The obvious defacement suggests a Nationalist sentiment.
Bruce
