Morgan Trowland and Marcus Decker receive prison sentences after climbing the M25 bridge last year.
Marcus Decker and Morgan Trowland were found guilty of causing a public nuisance following the week-long trial at Basildon Crown CourtMorgan Trowland, 40, of Islington, north London, and Marcus Decker, 34, of no fixed address, were suspended over the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge for about 37 hours in October.
The pair argued during the trial it was a peaceful protest but were found guilty of causing a public nuisance.Judge Shane Collery KC said the pair "plainly believed you knew better" than other people and were thinking "to hell with everyone else". "You have to be punished for the chaos you caused and to deter others from copying you," he said, as he sentenced them at Southend Crown Court.An Essex Police officer spoke to activist Morgan Trowland as he scaled the bridge at 04:00
The trial heard how the defendants scaled the bridge's cables at about 04:00 BST on 17 October last year, reaching a height of about 200ft .Essex Police used a "very tall cherry picker crane" to bring the pair down by about 17:30 the following day. The bridge, which usually takes traffic southbound over the River Thames on the A282 connecting the M25 motorway between Essex and Kent, was reopened at about 21:00 - 41 hours after the demonstration began.Image source,
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Just Stop Oil refuses to 'rule out' protesting at King's coronationCampaign group Just Stop Oil has refused to ‘rule out’ staging a protest on the day of the King Charles' coronation.
Read more »
Runners warn Just Stop Oil that London Marathon is the wrong target for protestsCompetitors say the race raises millions of pounds for charity, including many environmental causes, making it an ill-fitting target for green campaigners
Read more »
Just Stop Oil refuses to rule out London Marathon disruption amid weekend of protestsThe climate activists want to pile pressure on ministers to stop issuing oil and gas licences in the North Sea - a demand the government has rejected.
Read more »
Just Stop Oil to 'continue disrupting sport'A Just Stop Oil spokesperson tells the BBC the group will 'continue disrupting cultural and sporting events' before Sunday's London Marathon.
Read more »