Section 14 - Guilty: 25-27/11/19

Charge
Outcome
Court date

 

Court:

 

COL

Hearing date:

 

25 and 27th Nov, 2019

Bench (DJ or JPs)

 

DJ Noble

Charged with:

 

Contravention of section 14 of public order act

Represented by:

 

Self

Please outline key points in prosecution and defence cases.

 

  • The Prosecution presented video evidence, statements from the arresting officer and the officer in charge of applying the section 14 attended court in person

The defendant outlined the following lines of defense:

  • Challenged the validity of the section 14 order. The Officer in charge did not properly consider the right to life of the wider community both UK and globally who are already suffering the results of inaction on climate change. The example of harmful levels of air pollution. The right to shop were allowed above the right to health.
  • The defendant sited the statement by Mr McDonald shadow chancellor who clearly stated he believed that the XR protests and the tactics used had resulted in the educational message about climate change being heard and facilitated climate emergency debate and bill in parliament.

Was defence evidence submitted in writing?

 

 

 

No

 

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

 

No

What was the verdict?

 

Guilty

What was the sentence?

 

Conditional discharge 9 months

What costs were awarded?

 

200 pounds costs and 20 pounds victims surcharge

Please add anything else relevant.

 

Judge in issuing his verdict stated: ‘ He wanted to express admiration that all defendants acted in keeping with their conscience. That there was no choice under law as it is at present but to convict and that he can’t express enough how humbled I do feel . Thank you very much lady and gentlemen it has been a real pleasure to have you in my court’