The Maryland General Assembly opened its 202nd annual session here today under the cloud of the state's protracted savings and loan crisis, a financial disaster that legislative leaders said could threaten their full agenda of social, educational and other government programs for 1986.

As more than 200 savings and loan depositors staged a caustic protest in the frigid air outside the State House, members of the state Senate and House of Delegates held largely ceremonial elections of presiding officers and heard mixed reports about the impact of the S&L crisis on legislative initiatives in the 90-day session.

"All of us have been in the cold for eight months, so why should today be any different?" bellowed David Zinner, who led the two-hour protest that was designed to draw attention toRoad, Liverpool, sentenced to three years and seven months

Nigel Barnett, 44, of Nant Glas, Powys, sentenced to six years

The hub in Newtown was at the home of Butterworth and in Llandrindod Wells the gang used the home of Byrne and Lloyd.

The court heard the use of the Llandrindod Wells property as a headquarters saw "dramatically increased" crime rates and calls to the police.

Police said members of the community were afraid of leaving their children outside.

They also said when the occupiers were arrested, neighbours lined the street "enthusiastically applauding the police".

Judge Walters told the court this was the first time he had ever heard of such a "profound" reaction from a community where the lives of dozens of people were ruined by the conspiracy.

Image caption Judge Geraint Walters told