Climate protesters who blocked the M25 and A13 near Lakeside Shopping Center avoid jail

Climate protesters who caused hours of delays to motorists on the M25, causing more than £100,000 in economic disruption, have avoided being sent to prison. A group of people blocked a roundabout under the M25, causing significant delays in the area.

The group blocked a key junction near junction 31 of the M25, on the A282, early on 13 September 2021. The disruption on that day affected the M25, A13, A282 and A20.

Essex Police officers arrested members of the group and charges were laid against them for causing a public nuisance. A study found that the total estimated economic impact is at least £118,000 and around 6,500 hours will be lost in delays for thousands of motorists affected.

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Seven of the group denied the offense but were found guilty on March 7, after a three-week trial at Reading Crown Court. They joined three other people who had previously admitted the offence.

The entire group appeared for their sentences on Friday, April 19. Those now convicted after the trial are:

• Biff Whipster, 56, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours unpaid work and £500 costs.
• Nicholas Till, 68, of Rheidol Terrace, London, N1. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours unpaid work and £1,500 costs.
• Nicholas Onley, 61, of Richmond Road, London, N15. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with £250 costs.
• Rob Stuart, 42, Chingford Road, London, E17. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours unpaid work and £500 costs.
• Louise Lancaster, 58, of High Street, Barton, Cambridge. Sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours unpaid work and £500 costs.
• Janine Eagleling, 63, of Tower Hamlets Road, London, E17. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours unpaid work and £1,000 costs.
• David Crawford, 70, of Falkland Road, Dorking. Sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 40 hours unpaid work and £1,500 costs.

Those convicted after previously admitting to the crime:

• Tim Speers, 38, of Princes Avenue, Hull (to be sentenced at a later date).
• Stefania Morosi, 46, Hessel Road, London, W13. Sentenced to 13 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with £100 costs.
• Gabriella Ditton, 30, of Silver Road, Norwich. Sentenced to 14 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours unpaid work and £800 costs.

Detective Inspector Chris Arnold, who led the investigation, said: “These individuals did not need to obtain a criminal record. Their actions inconvenienced thousands of people and took up valuable police time; time that could have been better spent catching criminals wreaking havoc in our communities. .

“The team faced the challenging research head-on and without them and their hard work we would not have had such a positive outcome. We know that the right to protest is enshrined in law, and the police will always strive to facilitate this. But what happened in September 2021 was not legal; it was a criminal disturbance that seriously affected many people.”

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