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Plane Stupid's Commons Five get minimal fine for Heathrow protest

13.11.2008 (HACAN press release)

"Not even a slap on the wrist: more like a tap on the little finger”

The five activists from the climate change campaign group Plane Stupid who went on to the roof to protest against the alleged collusion between BAA and the Department for Transport in drawing up plans to expand Heathrow were just given a minimal fine by the judge at Westminster Magistrates Court today. He fined four of the defendants £365 each. The fifth defendant, Tamsin Omond, was fined £150. The maximum fine could have been £5,000 and six months in jail. They had been charged with trespass under anti-terror legislation.

John Stewart, the Chair of the anti-Heathrow campaign group, HACAN, said, “This is hugely embarrassing for a Government already reeling from a rebellion by its own backbenchers over Heathrow. This was not even a slap on the wrist: more like a tap on the little finger.”

The Plane Stupid 5 had argued in court that they had gone onto the roof to highlight the alleged collusion between the Department for Transport and BAA in drawing up plans to expand Heathrow. The judge and the prosecution accepted that was their motive.

The judge had before him statements from a number of expert witnesses: Norman Baker MP, John McDonnell MP, John Stewart of HACAN (recently voted UK's no.1 green campaigner by the Independent), Pete Lockley, a policy analyst at WWF and Dr Kevin Anderson, a climate scientist at the world renowned Tyndall Centre.

The Government is expected to make an announcement about Heathrow expansion next month.

Notes for Editors:

1) The protestors on trial were Olivia Chessell, 20, Leo Murray, 32, Graham Thompson, 34, Alexander George, 28, and Tamsin Omond, 23.

For more information:

John Stewart 0207 737 6641; 07957385650

Leo Murray 07847 204 469
Graham Thompson 07828 632 136

press@planestupid.com
www.planestupid.com

see also

Fines for Plane Stupid protestors

News image

Five climate change protestors have been found guilty of trespassing on parliament.

Leo Murray, Alexander Richard George, Graham Thompson, Tamsin Omond and Olivia Chessell were found guilty after a trial at City of Westminster magistrates court.

Omand, 23, of Belsize Square, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and fined £150.

Murray, 32, of Westcroft Square; George, 28, of Ridgeway, Wimbledon; Thompson, 35, of Northfield Rd; and Chessell, 20, of Emmanuel Rd, Cambridge, were fined £150 each and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Westminster magistrates' court were told how the members of campaign group Plane Stupid unveiled banners on the roof of parliament to protest against the proposed Heathrow expansion after getting past security in February.

The prosecution alleged the group may have had help during their protest. All five were seen on CCTV cameras but were searched by security who failed to find the banners reading "BAA HQ" and "No Third Runway".

Inspector Timothy Barfoot, who was on duty at the time, said that one of the protestors contacted him after reaching the roof claiming they were from Plane Stupid and that "everyone on the roof had been trained in non-violent protests".

He added that a decision was taken not to forcibly remove the group until they were closer to the edge of the building.

View London 13.11.2008

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/news/fines-for-plane-stupid-protestors-18875562.html

(13th November 2008)

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