Tunnellers who caused £2 million worth of disruption in Thurrock have been jailed for up to three years

FOUR people are behind bars today - while a 62-year-old woman is under suspended jail sentence - for their actions in digging tunnels under key link roads in Thurrock and bringing significant traffic disruption as part of their campaign to support the Just Stop Oil protest movement.

The longest prison term was three years - for causing a public nuisance.

The five were part of the action underneath roads in Thurrock's industrial estates and docks in August 2022. The group targeted the site by obstructing the roads and tunnelling around them, causing widespread disruption to road users and businesses operating in the area.

St Clements Way, Oliver Close, Oliver Road and Stoneness Road were all affected, effectively blocking travel in and out of the busy industrial area.

The last of the group left the tunnels they dug after 13 days, on 4 September 2022.

Three of the tunnellers underground.

The five were sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Friday (6 September) where the outcome was:-

Larch Maxey, 52, of Beechwood Road, Northampton, to three years in prison for intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance;
Samuel Johnson, 41, of Keens Lane, Reydon, 18 months in prison, for intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and criminal damage;
Chris Bennett, 33, of no fixed abode, 18 months in prison intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance;
Joe Howlett, 34, of Kilmersdon, Radstock, 15 months in prison intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and criminal damage;
Alice Wharrie, 62, of Churchill Road in Horley, 12 months suspended sentence, and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance.

Essex Police issued the following statement: "While the tunnels were occupied we worked with partners across public services to make sure the area remained safe and to restore the disrupted critical infrastructure as quickly as possible.

"This included work from Thurrock Council, National Rail, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service and British Transport Police, as well as Anglian Water.

"Our officers monitored the tunnels 24 hours a day for the entire period, as well as additional officers monitoring the road network surrounding the site.

"While the group stated they were carrying out a protest, their actions deliberately disrupted critical infrastructure across England, not just the surrounding area in the south of Essex.

"Businesses such as goods hauliers, HGV service and maintenance mechanics and were all impacted, as well as access to food storage and supply depots blocked.

"The tunnels dug were dangerous and poorly excavated putting the group and members of the public in the area at risk, and resulted in expensive repairs to the road network required for heavy goods vehicles."

The protesters, pictured with supporters, were found guilty in March and have now been sentenced.

Speaking after the sentencing, Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan said: "This group put themselves and so many others in danger with their reckless actions.

"The real impact of this behaviour is felt by the local businesses , owned by and employing the people of Thurrock, who were unable to do an honest day's work to pay their bills for this fortnight.

"We believe the financial impact on the local area is more than £2million due to the huge number of those affected.

"I would also like to thank everyone involved in this investigation – this required a huge number of police officers and representatives from dozens of partner agencies and affected businesses to initially secure the site, arrest those involved and build the case we have seen conclude with these sentences.

"It's hard work, and it's right the actions of this group do not go unpunished."

One of the tunnellers, 22-year-old Xavier Gonzalez-Trimmer, 22, killed himself in the wake of being found guilty. He had spent five months on electronic tag before his death, following a remand in prison. Friends believe his experience with prison and the restrictive electronic tag curfews in his final months, plus the fear of returning to jail, led to his suicide.

One of the men convicted, Sam Johnson, spoke before sentencing, saying: "Two years ago, I took part in an action digging tunnels to block the Navigator oil terminal. I did this to protect my nephew Alex, who was six at the time. He's now eight years old, and in these past two years, we've watched climate breakdown unfold in real time.

The reality is so terrifying it's almost unimaginable – and that's part of the problem. Make no mistake: this crisis will affect every single human alive today, and far sooner than most people think.

It's time to ask ourselves: What do we truly hold dear? What are we willing to fight for? Because we could lose it all."