Just Stop Oil Protesters Guilty of Risking Serious Harm
Activists Found Guilty of Track Invasion at British Grand Prix
Sentencing Postponed for Five Defendants
A group of Just Stop Oil protesters has been found guilty of endangering the lives of others during a track invasion at the British Grand Prix in 2022. Five of the activists will face sentencing at a later date, while one has already been sentenced to a 15-month suspended jail term.
The six defendants, aged between 21 and 45, were found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court of causing a public nuisance by recklessly interfering with the lawful use of the Silverstone race track during the Formula One race on July 3, 2022.
The court heard that the protesters, who were dressed in orange boiler suits, ran onto the track after the start of the race and sat down, waving flags and banners and causing a "total blockage" of the circuit.
The invasion forced the race to be stopped for around 10 minutes, with safety cars deployed to lead the field around while the protesters were removed from the track.
Prosecutor Simon Davis told the court that the protesters' actions had put the drivers and spectators at risk, as they had created a "real possibility of serious injury or death."
Defense lawyer Michael Turner argued that the protesters had not intended to cause harm and had only been seeking to highlight the climate crisis.
The sentencing of the five remaining defendants has been adjourned until a later date to allow the court to consider pre-sentencing reports.
Komentar