Roger Hallam denied bail and kept incarcerated without trial.

Just Stop Oil supporter and political prisoner, Roger Hallam, was denied bail at Southwark Crown Court yesterday and will remain in HMP Wandsworth Prison, without trial. Just Stop Oil supporter, Paul Bleach, was granted bail, while Alfie Beswick was sentenced in relation to disruption of the M25 gantries in November 2022. [1] [2]

Roger is charged with ‘Conspiracy to Commit a Public Nuisance’ and has been held on remand, without trial, since the 6th November 2022, when he handed himself in to the authorities. Stating that he believed Roger to be a ‘committed and resourceful gentleman’ Judge Milne said yesterday: ‘I have no doubt you will continue to re-offend.’ It is likely that Roger will remain in prison until trial later this year.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: 

What happened to being presumed innocent until proven guilty? This is why Human Rights Watch are warning the UK risks being re-categorised as a ‘human rights abuser.’ [3]

Another of those remanded, Paul Bleach, who stands accused of ‘Causing a Public Nuisance’ in relation to peacefully disrupting the M25 on the 8th November 2022, has been granted bail, and has been released from prison after serving 72 days. No date has yet been set for trial.

Also appearing in front of Judge Milne, and the fourth person to be sentenced in relation to M25 gantry disruption in early November, Alfie Beswick, who was previously imprisoned, without trial, for 28 days, pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance. He has been sentenced to a six month prison term, suspended for 18 months, 100 hours community service, ten days rehabilitation and £600 costs and victim surcharge, with one year to pay.

Speaking after sentencing Alfie, 26, a case-worker for a homeless charity, said:

“I took this action out of desperation, because I am terrified of what is to come, and for what is already happening. The IPCC says that by 2030 we will see 750 million climate refugees. 750 million people made homeless. Ultimately though, I am terrified for myself and my family, because we know this will impact people in the UK in the next few years.

Prison was not a nice place, but I am far more fearful of the food shortages, drought and conflict which we will see in the coming years due to the climate crisis.

Not only is the Government failing to protect the most vulnerable in our society, they are now suppressing those who oppose this injustice with anti-democratic new laws. Protest has a long history in this country, and this government is making it illegal, because they know new fossil fuels are immoral.”

We stand with our 10 supporters in prison, with the 1,800 victims of our broken criminal justice system imprisoned for over a year without trial and with the 1,700 murdered across the global south, for protecting all our lives. This is the moment for us to come together and resist the destruction of everything we love, something that is being imposed on us by a few, who only seek to enrich themselves. We’re done with begging. We are going to stop new fossil fuel projects whether those in power agree or not. As citizens, parents and children, we have every right under British law to protect ourselves and those we love. We are the last generation who can solve this. Will you step up? Join us and Just Stop Oil. [4][5]

ENDS

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Notes to Editors

[1] Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK. Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects. Climate Emergency Fund is Just Stop Oil’s primary funder for recruitment, training, and capacity building.

[2] Press Release from 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th of November –

Just Stop Oil Statement
Just Stop Oil stops traffic on the M25 in multiple locations for the second day
Just Stop Oil supporters return for a third day stopping traffic on the M25 in multiple locations
Just Stop Oil supporters climb M25 gantries for the fourth day causing traffic disruption in multiple locations

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jan/12/uk-risks-being-listed-as-a-human-rights-abuser-human-rights-watch

[4] Fair Trials reports that the number of people being held in prison without trial in England and Wales is at its highest for over 50 years, with 1,800 people in prison without trial for at least a year.

[5] A recent report from Global Witness says that more than 1,700 people have died while trying to prevent mining, oil drilling or logging on their lands.