POLICE have spoken of the impact on the public purse and the inconvenience caused to the public after climate protesters were sentenced almost three years after their actions blocked local roads.

Yesterday (Friday, 19 April) a group of people were sentenced after blocking a roundabout underneath the M25, which inconvenienced a significant number of motorists.

The group blocked a key junction close to junction 31 of the M25, at the A282, early on 13 September, 2021. The disruption had knock-on impacts on the M25, A13, A282 and the A20.

The group members were arrested, and an Essex Police investigation was launched. Members of the group were subsequently charged with causing a public nuisance.

In total, the Essex Police investigation was able to show a total estimated economic impact of at least £118,000 and about 6,500 hours lost in delays to thousands of motorists inconvenienced.

Seven of the group denied the offence but were found guilty on 7 March, after a three-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

They joined three other individuals who had previously admitted the offence.

The entire group appeared for sentence yesterday and received suspended jail sentences and fines.

Detective Sergeant Chris Arnold, who led the Essex Police investigation, said: "These individuals did not need to get criminal records.

"Their actions inconvenienced thousands of people and took up valuable police time; time which would have been better spent catching criminals causing harm in our communities.

"The team faced the challenging investigation head-on and without them and their hard work, we would not have had such a positive result."

DS Arnold added: "We know that the right to protest is enshrined in law, and policing will always seek to facilitate it.

"But what happened in September 2021 was not legal; it was criminal disruption which severely impacted many people."

Those now convicted after trial are:

·        Biff Whipster, 56, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury. Sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours of unpaid work and £500 in costs.

·        Nicholas Till, 68, of Rheidol Terrace, London, N1. Sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work and £1,500 in costs.

·        Nicholas Onley, 61, of Richmond Road, London, N15. Sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with £250 in costs.

·        Rob Stuart, 42, Chingford Road, London, E17. Sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs.

·        Louise Lancaster, 58, of High Street, Barton, Cambridge. Sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs.

·        Janine Eagling, 63, of Tower Hamlets Road, London, E17. Sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours of unpaid work and £1,000 costs.

·        David Crawford, 70, of Falkland Road, Dorking. Sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 40 hours of unpaid work and £1,500 costs.

Those convicted after earlier admitting the offence:

·        Tim Speers, 38, of Princes Avenue, Hull (To be sentenced at a later date).

·        Stefania Morosi, 46, of Hessel Road, London, W13. Sentenced to 13 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with £100 costs.

·        Gabriella Ditton, 30, of Silver Road, Norwich. Sentenced to 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work and £800 costs.