Obstruction of the Highway - Guilty: 29/04/21

Outcome
Court date

Court:

 

CLM Court 3. 2pm

Hearing date:

 

29/4/21

Bench (DJ or JPs)

 

Dr Lynne Gailey + 2 others

Charged with:

 

Willful Obstruction of the Highway on 8.10 19 at Whitehall

Represented by:

 

Jenny Winter

Please outline key points in prosecution and defence cases.

 

The first witness for the prosecution was PC Borghurst (?).  Defendant was sitting in the road, linking arms with another at about 14.50pm.  She was read S14 and asked to move up the road to Trafalgar Square.  She went limp and was arrested for WOH and under S14 and carried to the police van.  They had to wait for an hour and she then went to Barking Police Station where she was interviewed at 11pm.  Defendant argued that she wasn’t blocking anything as the roads were already cordoned off and protesting in Trafalgar Square would have been pointless.  She has been vegan for 36 years is aware of how we, as humans, interact with our environment.  She loves our planet.  Climate change is a symptom of our own failing systems.  We cannot carry on like this.  She has been a member of Greenpeace and FOE, written to her MP and nothing has changed.  In 2019 the town near her, Matlock was flooded, wild fires were at a record level; climate change does not just occur in remote places.  It is here now.  She wanted to protest where she was because of its proximity to Downing Street and the seat of power.  CPS argued that her actions were willful and she had not lawful authority to be in the road.

Was defence evidence submitted in writing?

 

Yes.

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

 

Pleaded not guilty. Yes cross examined.

What was the verdict?

 

Guilty.

What was the sentence?

 

Uncondtitional discharge because Defendant wanted to protest again! See below fine.

What costs were awarded?

 

£100 fine + £300 costs + £32 victim surcharge payable at £20 pm from 27th May. 

Please add anything else relevant.