Two Just Stop Oil supporters have been sentenced today in connection with plans to disrupt the M25. These actions were carried out in November 2022, with a view to demanding an end to all new oil and gas projects. This demand was subsequently won and has now become government policy. [1]
Phoebe Plummer and David Mann appeared before Judge Cole at Southwark Crown Court today, in relation to their role in actions that caused gridlock on the M25 between 7th and 10th November 2022.
Phoebe received a 24 month custodial sentence suspended for 24 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. They were also ordered to pay £500 in costs. David Mann received an 18 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £200 in costs.
Phoebe Plummer was previously held in custody for a month before being released on electronic tag for three months in connection with this charge.
Before sentencing she said:
“Perhaps by not sending me to prison today, the courts have realised that draconian sentences are not working to deter people from resistance. How could it, when the alternative is to passively accept the death and suffering of hundreds of millions of innocent people as a result of climate inaction?”
Phoebe was found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit a Public Nuisance in April. David Mann previously pleaded guilty to the charge. They were arrested with two others on 10th November 2022 after a vehicle they were travelling in was stopped by police. [2]
Today’s proceedings follow the July 2024 sentencing of the ‘Whole Truth Five’, who were also found guilty of conspiring to disrupt the M25. [3]
Roger Hallam received five years, and the others Daniel Shaw, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, Louise Lancaster, and Cressida Gethin got four years each, marking the longest sentences for non-violent protest in UK history.
In March 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled the sentences excessive, finding that Judge Hehir had wrongly excluded the defendants’ human rights and conscientious motivations from his sentencing considerations. Hallam’s sentence was reduced to four years; Shaw and Lancaster’s to three; and Whittaker De Abreu and Gethin’s to 30 months. [4] [5]
On 9th April, Abigail Percy-Ratcliffe and Ian Bates were also sentenced in connection with these proceedings. Each was given a community order and received suspended prison sentences. [5]
Just Stop Oil continues to stand by those prosecuted for peaceful resistance against fossil fuel expansion in the face of rapidly accelerating climate collapse.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
[1] Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.
April 26th 2025 was the last Just Stop Oil action, but our supporters will continue to tell the truth in the courts, speak out for our political prisoners, and call out the UK’s oppressive anti-protest laws.
Just Stop Oil continues to rely on small donations from the public to make this happen.
[2] https://juststopoil.org/2025/04/09/phoebe-plummer-found-guilty-in-third-gantry-conspiracy-trial/
[3] https://juststopoil.org/2024/07/18/whole-truth-five-sentenced-to-4-5-years-at-southwark-crown-court/
[4] https://juststopoil.org/2025/03/07/appeal-court-fails-to-protect-citizens/
[6] https://juststopoil.org/2025/05/09/two-just-stop-oil-supporters-spared-prison/
