Obstruction of the Highway - Guilty: 01/06/21

Outcome
Court date

Court:

 

CoL 3

Hearing date:

 

1/6/2021

Bench (DJ or JPs)

 

DJ Price

Charged with:

 

Willful obstruction of the highway

Represented by:

 

Robert Levac

Please outline key points in prosecution and defence cases.

 

7/10/2019 Lambeth Bridge. Warned by police who asked her to move. BWV shown. It was clear that she was not told of an alternative place to protest. The police officer said in evidence that she could have protested without arrest on the pavement or at Marble Arch.

Defendant spoke powerfully about her reasons for being involved in the protest and why she took the action she did (sitting in the road). She also spoke of her work with school children, community gardens and involvement in a council community climate action group. She was particularly concerned that a guilty verdict could mean the end of her working with school children

 

Was defence evidence submitted in writing?

 

 

Yes

 

 

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

 

Yes

 

Yes

What was the verdict?

 

Guilty. The Judge said that she will pass her comments on so that any DBS check does not mean that Defendant would not be able to continue her work with children

What was the sentence?

 

9m conditional discharge

What costs were awarded?

 

£775 requested. £379 given plus £21 victim surcharge. At Defendant’s request this will be deducted from her benefits and £10 every 2 weeks.

Please add anything else relevant.