Just Stop Oil activists who blocked major road in rush hour spared jail

A group of Just Stop Oil eco-warriors who caused rush-hour chaos on one of Britain’s busiest roads have avoided jail – because they have given up the cause.

Ishani Milward-Bose, Daniel Wills, Anthony Bradley and Alice Brown were part of a 100-strong protest who embarked on a slow march that broght traffic to a standstill on the A41 Hendon Way near the Brent Cross Flyover in London on November 13, 2023.

They quartet wore orange hi-vis jackets and carried Just Stop Oil banners as they marched along the key commuter route, for around three hours, during the morning rush hour.

Retired travel agent Bradley, 65, self-employed architect Brown, 63, university graduate Milward-Bose, 23, and undergraduate Wills, 22, had all previously pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with the use of a key national infrastructure, contrary to the Public Order Act.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday how thousands of people were impacted by the group’s actions with the main arterial route into central London being blocked from 8.30am to 11.20am.

But they escaped jail after their defence solicitor told magistrates the quartet no longer support the group.

Jessica Atkinson said: “The defendants are no longer involved in Just Stop Oil, have accepted early responsibility for their action and indicated they do not intend to do this again.

“These are four productive members of society. These defendants are otherwise law-abiding citizens with very promising futures.”

Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring described the protest as “a relatively sophisticated, pre-planned major disruption” which “must be viewed as causing significant harm and inconvenience. “

But passing sentencing Judge Goldspring continued: “You are all genuinely remorseful, I am sure of that.

“I am clear there is no public interest in sending you to prison today, or suspending such a sentence.”

The four defendants nodded as they were each sentenced to a 12-month community order to undertake 120 hours of paid work.

They were also ordered to pay costs of £85 each plus surcharge.