A group of protestors from Just Stop Oil have been convicted after detectives foiled their plan to glue themselves onto Heathrow Airport runways.
Eight members from the group were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance at Heathrow Airport. A ninth member had previously pleaded guilty to the same offence.
During the seven-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court, the jury heard that if the group had broken through the security fence and gained access to the airfield, there would have been significant safety and operational consequences.
In some cases, passengers would need to be diverted to other airports nationally and internationally, leaving them potentially stranded for days.
The protesters were arrested at the fence
Met Police
The court heard how, on Wednesday, July 24 last year, Met Police officers intercepted two JSO groups, near to the perimeter fence of the airport.
The groups, made up of seven JSO members, were immediately arrested and found in possession of angle grinders and glue, indicating their intention to cut through the perimeter fence and attach themselves to the airfield’s surface.
Those arrested also had JSO branded orange high-visibility vests and a prepared statement, confirming their intention to go onto the taxiway, a part of the airfield where planes are moved from the hangar to the runway.
The Met Police said that if they had been successful, the group would have had to cross one of the airport’s runways, endangering the lives of themselves, airport staff and those on flights taking off and landing.
One of the high vis jackets found
Met Police
