A Just Stop Oil supporter was given a community order today after being found guilty of spraying a university building to demand an end to new oil and gas licences. [1]
Arthur Clifton, 23, was found guilty of causing criminal damage over £5,000 at Southwark Crown Court in April, following a 4 day jury trial presided over by Judge Hales. He was sentenced today to a 12-month community order, including 120 hours of unpaid work. [2]
In October 2023, he sprayed orange paint across the portico of University College London’s Wilkins Building, demanding that the UK Government immediately abandon plans for new oil and gas projects. [2]
The Crown had alleged that the action caused £21,000 worth of damage.
Speaking prior to his action in October 2023, Clifton said:
“I cannot stand by in terror and do nothing as my entire generation is sold out for short-term profit. I wonder how long it is before my 10-year-old sister has to face the food shortages and violence that so many across the globe are already facing in the wake of social breakdown brought on through climate collapse?
“Universities are supposed to develop and protect their students and young people, but instead they are sending us into the furnace. The academic research has been done, and it could not be clearer. If these institutions listened to their own staff, they would know how crucial it is that we immediately halt all new oil and gas licences. Instead, they accept millions in funding from oil and gas corporations.”
During the trial the judge directed the jury that political or moral motivations, including concern over the existential threat of climate collapse, could not constitute a lawful excuse for criminal damage.
In 2024 Just Stop Oil successfully won its original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’ and on March 27th 2025 announced an end to the campaign of action. However, our supporters will continue to tell the truth in court, to speak out for our political prisoners and to help build what comes next.
During our 3 year history Just Stop Oil supporters have been arrested 3,300 times and imprisoned 180 times, for having broken laws that were drafted by the fossil fuel industry.
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.
Just Stop Oil ‘Blue Lights’ policy: our policy is, and has always been, to move out of the way for emergency vehicles with siren sounding and ‘blue lights’ on.
