Three Just Stop Oil supporters have been handed nine-month custodial sentences, suspended for 21 months, and ordered to pay £1,000 each in compensation for spraying orange paint on the Wellington Arch in October 2023. The action was taken to demand that the UK government immediately halt all new oil and gas projects, a demand that has since been adopted as government policy. [1]
Judge Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court passed sentence today, following guilty pleas entered by Lucy Timlin and two others in March, after the court ruled they would not be permitted to present any legal arguments during the trial.
On 25 October 2023, the three Just Stop Oil supporters sprayed orange paint onto the Wellington Arch, a prominent Grade I-listed monument at Hyde Park Corner in central London, using repurposed fire extinguishers. They also released smoke flares, displayed banners reading ‘Just Stop Oil’, and remained at the scene until they were arrested by police. [2]
The action to demand an immediate halt to all new oil and gas licensing took place during a period of severe flooding and extreme weather across the UK, which had killed at least seven people and left hundreds homeless. More than 1,200 properties in England were flooded and the Environment Agency issued over 300 flood alerts. [3] That same week, rail services faced widespread cancellations and delays, with King’s Cross station evacuated due to overcrowding. Analysis published at the time found that climate-related extreme weather had caused an average of $16 million in damage every hour for the past two decades. [4]
Speaking before the sentencing one of the supporters said:
“Leading up to sentencing, I feel empowered and proud of the action we took against the fossil fuel industry. I’m also scared, worried about my consequences, but I will take my consequences with pride, knowing I fought for change for those who can’t, those who aren’t privileged enough to be in the position I am, and who also share the fear and desperation that the climate and ecological crisis has brought us to today.
My involvement with Just Stop Oil has brought change, but there are many more battles to be won, before we can say the world will be a better place. I’d also like to share the love with everyone who has supported, donated, shared an online story, and made our campaign a success.”
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]
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/09/climate-crisis-cost-extreme-weather-damage-study
