Section 14 - Guilty: 27/11/19

Court
City of London Magistrates Court
Charge
Section 14
Outcome
Guilty
Court date

Court:

 

COL

Hearing date:

 

27-11-2019 pm only

Bench (DJ or JPs)

 

DJ

Charged with:

 

Contravention of section 14 of public order act Waterloo bridge 21st April, 2019

Represented by:

 

Self

Please outline key points in prosecution and defence cases.

 
  • Prosecution submitted video evidence and statement of arresting officer. Officer in charge (Tara Johnson) attended court to be examined
  • Defendant submitted her written testimonial and a character reference

 

Defence given

  • Defendant emphasized the importance of Waterloo bridge due to its proximity to parliament and that the chosen message of the site ‘Act Now’ was deliberate as it was within site and sound of the parliament. Therefore Marble arch, the alternative protest site offered did not offer the same opportunity to protest
  • Defendant made a defence of necessity and eloquently described how the actions of parliament were not enough to address the climate crisis. She outlined the projected consequences for health due to pollution and the other effects of climate change
  • Defendant explained that she felt that she did not have a choice as she was living with high levels of anxiety about the consequences of climate change and that for years she had adapted her own lifestyle to minimize her carbon footprint and to protest the need to take more action on climate change – she gave the following examples: she is vegan, she doesn’t fly, she is not planning to have children, she doesn’t buy new clothes, she has joined protests, written letters and signed petitions.  She explained that XR has given her some hope and that involvement is not a choice for her.

Was defence evidence submitted in writing?

 

 

Yes – written testimonial

 

 

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?

 

500 pounds (only one defendant)

Please add anything else relevant.

 

Judge stated he had ‘utmost respect for the manner you addressed me and the court and the dignified way you have conducted yourself’