Section 14 - Guilty: 22/04/21

Outcome
Court date

Court:

 

CLM Court 2. 10am

Hearing date:

 

22/4/21

Bench (DJ or JPs)

 

Magistrates.  Sorry don’t know their names.

Charged with:

 

Wilful Obstruction of the Highway.  And Section 14

Represented by:

 

Self represented (advice by Ms Winters)

Please outline key points in prosecution and defence cases.

 

Mr Barraclough was the CP.  AC Louisa Rolfe gave a statement via video link about the legality of issuing S14 on 31/8 which was then extended, and the dangers of Covid.  The police had previous intelligence of the demonstration.  PC Gibson’s statement was read out.  Defendant was warned but he did not comply and he was arrested and carried to the van.  The facts were not contested.  However, defendant argued for the greater necessity of climate change.  He presented a long, clear, emotional, personal speech but he also presented clearly the science and inevitable consequences of doing nothing and the rise in temperature.  I asked him to send his speech to XR.  This was especially poignant considering it was Earth Day. 

Also because there was such a lot of tooing and froing because various things dd not work, the magistrate struck up a rapport with defendant about mid Wales.  I though this might sway it in his favour but sadly not.

Was defence evidence submitted in writing?

 

No skeleton argument

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

 

Pleaded not guilty.  Self represented.

What was the verdict?

 

Guilty.

What was the sentence?

 

Conditional discharge for 9 months.

What costs were awarded?

 

Costs £775 plus £21 payable within 7 days.

Please add anything else relevant.

 

This was a totally brilliant speech.  At all times he was polite and respectful but confident and articulate.