Section 14 - Guilty: 08/01/20

Charge
Outcome
Court date

Court:

 

City of London Magistrates Court 3

Hearing date:

 

8th Jan 2020

Bench (DJ or JPs)

 

Judge Noble

Defendant name & number:

 

4 defendants

Charged with:

 

Failure to comply with Section 14

Represented by:

 

2 Self Rep, 2 Bird

Please outline key points in prosecution and defence cases.

 

Prosecution case

Chief Inspector McMillan called to testify over her statement on imposition of conditions of Section 14, BWV shown.

 

Defence

 

1. Legality of Section 14 Order, cross examined Inspector Tara Johnson on the timings of the reviews and the Crown has not offered evidence to show that the reviews were ongoing after the 48 hour review done on the 18          

 

NOTE the DJ applied these arguments across all cases in the group trial

 

2. Communication of the order ( i.e. did she hear it ?)

3. Necessity.

 

Was defence evidence submitted in writing?

 

 

 

 

Did defence witness(es) give evidence in person? Were they cross-examined?

 

 

 

What was the verdict?

 

1 found not guilty on technicalities, 3 found guilty

What was the sentence?

 

For the 3 found guilty: 9 months conditional discharge

What costs were awarded?

 

For the 3 found guilty: £150 + £20 = £170 (each)

Please add anything else relevant.

 

The judge made the following statement

“It is really sad people here today are facing criminal Charges”

Plus the Judge also went on to say a personal statement in which he explained how he and his family had 1st hand faced climate change.