Nine Just Stop Oil Supporters have been found guilty after causing disruption to the flow of oil out of the largest fuel terminal in the country in 2022. The Just Stop Oil supporters were demanding that the government halt licensing and consents for the development of any new fossil-fuel projects in the UK. [1]
Tez Burns Rik Vanhoutteghem and one other appeared before Judge Donoghue, at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, on Monday. All three were charged with aggravated trespass at Navigator Fuel Terminal in Grays, Essex, on the 4th April 2022. Tez Burns was sentenced to an 18 month conditional discharge with costs of £215 and Rik Vanhoutteghem was given a 60 hour community order, with costs of £270. Michael Brown pleaded guilty to the charge of Aggravated Trespass, at Navigator, on the 1st April 2022, and was given a 40 hours community order, as well as fees of £160. [2]
Rosa Sharkey, Oliver Stevens and Alexandra Mulvey appeared before Judge Donoghue on Monday and Tuesday, also charged with aggravated trespass, at Navigator, on the 4th April 2022. In addition, they have been charged with wilful obstruction of the highway, at the same terminal, on the 1st April 2022. Rosa Sharkey, Oliver Stevens and Alexandra Mulvey have each been fined £414 inclusive of court fees and surcharge.
Louis McKechnie, and Matthew Powell appeared on Monday and Tuesday, solely in relation to obstruction of the highway, at Navigator, on the 1st April 2022. Louis McKechnie was fined £354, inclusive of court fees and surcharge. Matthew Powell received a 12 month conditional discharge and was charged £144 in fees. [3]
Speaking after the trial on Tuesday, Oliver Stevens, 20, a biology student from Bristol, said:
“I took action with Just Stop Oil out of desperation to secure a future that is liveable, both for my generation and future generations.”
“We are seeing normal members of the public realising that the government will not commit to any meaningful actions to prevent irreversible climate breakdown, and so we are left with little choice but to force the government to act.”
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said:
“History will not look kindly on the judges that have criminalised these good people for taking a stand against an industry that is wreaking havoc on our communities. Oil companies have bought our politicians and engaged in a concerted effort to lie about the impact of burning fossil fuels and mislead the public for decades. As the worst drought in 500 years continues across Europe, crops are failing and currently we are already seeing rationing in supermarkets.”
“We say to all those working in the judiciary, who are co-operating with these trials; take a stand, or let history be the judge of you. Those complicit in climate crimes will be held to account one day, it is simply a matter of time.”
Since the Just Stop Oil campaign launched on the 14th February 2022, there have been over 2,000 arrests and 138 people have spent time in prison, many without trial. There are currently two Just Stop Oil supporters and two Insulate Britain supporters in prison whilst awaiting trial or serving sentences for actions taken with the campaigns.
We stand with these four 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. [4] [5]
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.
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] Link to press release from 4th April 2022- https://juststopoil.org/2022/04/04/petrol-shortage-as-just-stop-oil-disrupt-supply-from-uk-oil-terminals/
[3] Link to press release from 1st April 2022- https://juststopoil.org/2022/04/01/breaking-just-stop-oil-coalition-blocks-7-critical-oil-facilities-to-demand-an-end-to-new-oil-and-gas/
[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.
[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.
