Heathrow 13 trial: Climate change protesters spared jail after backing from high-profile supporters

Hannah Al-Othman24 February 2016
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The 13 climate change activists who caused 25 flights to be cancelled and triggered "immense" financial costs with a runway protest at Heathrow Airport have escaped immediate jail terms after a high court judge, barristers, MPs and actors came forward to provide references.

The six women and seven men, dubbed the Heathrow 13, were described in court as "people of real conscience who care about the planet", before they were sentenced to six weeks suspended for 12 months for aggravated trespass.

The demonstrators were found guilty in January of aggravated trespass and entering a security-restricted area of an aerodrome, after they staged a protest at the UK's largest airport in the early hours of July 13 last year.

Some of the protesters had to sit in front of the dock at Willesden Magistrates' Court today, which was packed with co-defendants.

Kirsty Brimelow QC, representing four of the defendants, told the court "there is a range of in-depth, genuine and excellent testimonies" in support of them from people including Downton Abbey and The Royle Family actress Sue Johnston.

In mitigation, she said: "These are people who are professional. They are qualified and highly educated.

"They have references from a high court judge, barristers, the MP John McDonnell and the actress Sue Johnston."

District Judge Deborah Wright said her understanding was that "immense" costs had been caused by the protest which saw the demonstrators chain themselves to railings and force the cancellation of 25 flights.

Escaped jail: Thirteen members of activist group Plane Stupid led by Danni Paffard (centre)
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Prosecutor Robert Short said prosecution costs were running at about £14,000.

The group cut a hole in a fence and made their way on to the north runway, as part of a long-running Plane Stupid campaign to end airport expansion.

Having managed to get into the restricted "airside" area of Heathrow Airport, they erected a tripod and chained themselves to some fencing on the runway.

It took six hours before the last of the activists were removed.

Ms Brimelow looked back to the Suffragettes and said the 13 had carried out an act of civil disobedience because they believed they were " acting in the public interest".

They felt that "all other avenues had been exhausted" in the fight to cut carbon emissions.

Arguing against a prison sentence, Ms Brimelow said this country had a "hard-fought for" tradition regarding civil disobedience.

Activists: Other climate protesters gathered outside the court
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

She told the court: "We have come a long way since the days of the Suffragettes, since those people would have been locked up and treated appallingly."

Ms Brimelow also pointed out that the last time anyone had been jailed for a direct action protest was in 1932 following a mass trespass of the Moors. This was held because the land was shut to the public by the gentry.

Ms Brimelow said the 13 had acted on "deeply-held beliefs" and as "people of real conscience who care about the planet".

The judge said she "acknowledged" the good character of the defendants and that they all had "genuinely-held beliefs".

Campaign: a large crowd gathered outside the court in support of the 13
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Those who have been convicted are Danielle Paffard, 28, of Blenheim Grove, Peckham; Rebecca Sanderson, 28, of Newton Road, Machynlleth, Powys; Richard Hawkins, 33, and Kara Moses, 32, both of Heoly Doll, Machynlleth, Powys; Ella Gilbert, 23, of Magdalen Street, Norwich; Melanie Strickland, 32, of Borwick Avenue, Waltham Forest; Graham Thompson, 42, of Durlston Road, Hackney; Sheila Menon, 44, of Pellerin Road, Hackney; Cameron Kaye, 23, Edward Thacker, 26, Alistair Tamlit, 27, and Sam Sender, 23, all of Kenwood Close, Sipson, West Drayton, and Robert Basto, 67, of Blackborough Road, Reigate, Surrey.

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