Extinction Rebellion founder jailed for five years!

I have read the judge's comments and I understand why custodial sentences are appropriate in this case. They were all on bail when this offence took place. Fanaticism is just that regardless of the cause. The defendants crossed the line from peaceful protest to conspiracy to cause extreme and disproportionate disruption. We are fortunate here in the UK to be entitled to protest about anything but we are not entitled to repeatedly break the law.

Urmstongran

“ Packham: Sentences are ‘disproportionately high’
Speaking after the protesters, TV naturalist Chris Packham said: “At this point I feel physically sick, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt that in this way ever before.

“I’ve just watched what can only be described as judicial thuggery, a total disregard for any mitigation circumstances when it came to sentencing. Disproportionately high sentences given to peaceful climate protesters in a world which is on fire.

“In a world which is burning and flooding. In a world in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.”

How many people died because ambulances can't get through, how many people die on their own because family can't get through. Packham is a hypocrite, wonder how the BBC transport him to his work sites, does he cook on gas. These people won't be happy until the world goes back to horse and cart, and cooking over a fire, oh wait a minute, coal is banned. So well all freezer to death. These morons deserve what they get. Protest yes, help destroy other peoples lives , no.

Good for the judge and good to hear they had sense and weren’t prey to ‘political correctness’ like they often are here.

They were planning an unacceptable event and were sentenced according to UK law.

The judge didn’t give them a custodial sentence on a whim

vegansrock

Meanwhile, a man who slashed his gf with a knife and beat her up gets a suspended sentence, a woman guilty of causing death by dangerous driving gets 6 months. I hope you are happy with the sentencing regime in the U.K. which obviously sees cars as more important than people and I’m glad you think climate change and the extinction of species has nothing to do with human activity as you can then sleep easy.

vegansrock
I’ve RTWT, but I can’t find where anyone has said they
are happy with the sentencing regime in the U.K. which obviously sees cars as more important than people

Or that they
think climate change and the extinction of species has nothing to do with human activity

I thought we were aiming to put fewer people in prison for non-violent crimes, but when I read the judge’s reasons for giving the prison sentences it made more sense.

The Just Stop Oil protestors were planning something which they knew had the potential to cause loss of life now.

Does that make them better people?

GrannyGravy

👏👏👏

Who has said that climate change has nothing to do with human activity?

It has been pointed out how judgements are made and the entire judgement was posted for us all to read so that we can see the reasoning of the judge.

No one has said anything about climate change that I can remember.

vegansrock no one on here (that I have seen) is denying climate change, no doubt most of us are doing whatever we can to mitigate our carbon footprint etc.

These were not peaceful protestors they were the cause of much chaos, leading to millions of £’s lost, hospital appointments missed, people unable to pay their last respects at funerals etc.

Those who suffered and/or were inconvenienced by these actions in all probability do whatever they can to save the planet already.

Meanwhile, a man who slashed his gf with a knife and beat her up gets a suspended sentence, a woman guilty of causing death by dangerous driving gets 6 months. I hope you are happy with the sentencing regime in the U.K. which obviously sees cars as more important than people and I’m glad you think climate change and the extinction of species has nothing to do with human activity as you can then sleep easy.

love0c

Excellent news. However, make them pay for their own upkeep! Why should the tax payer have to pay for this 'lot'?

Because they’ve lost their liberty, they’ll serve long sentences. This is a democratic country -

Excellent news. However, make them pay for their own upkeep! Why should the tax payer have to pay for this 'lot'?

Great stuff 👍🏻

flappergirl

I'd like to see Chris Packham in the government.

God help farming if that ever happened.

I'd like to see Chris Packham in court!

I'd like to see Chris Packham in the government.

eazybee

There are unforeseen consequences to a prison sentence: difficulty with insurances, job applications, access to children, banking facilities, which have a much greater impact after the self-righteous glow of 'martyrdom' has worn off.

You’re right, but either they:
-didn’t think they’d get a prison sentence
-aren’t aware of the impacts a custodial sentence may carry
-will decide their next campaign will be to stop discrimination against people with a prison record
Who knows?
I didn’t realise two protestors had already been jailed.

Yay! Now to throw away the key......

There are unforeseen consequences to a prison sentence: difficulty with insurances, job applications, access to children, banking facilities, which have a much greater impact after the self-righteous glow of 'martyrdom' has worn off.

I have mixed feelings. I’d like them properly penalised, I’m not sure prison is the answer. I think they’ll simply become “martyrs” to their cause.

Prison costs a lot of money.

I’m more in favour of reparation.

Good outcome! Can anyone tell me why sentences given are reduced to less than half. Give a realistic sentence in the first place and keep to it, could understand knocking 6/9 months off for good behaviour but no more. Make prisons safe, not have access to drugs, if found with them or they are violent add time on, cooped up doing nothing, how is that helping?
Perhaps these people won’t repeat this behaviour in the future.

Thanks for the link GSM. I appreciate reading Judgements, they’re so thorough, measured and help us understand how forensic the consideration of the evidence is,

Well done the Sun - that’s a comment I never expected to make. Excellent investigative journalism

Thank you GSM they claim to be peaceful bah

Thanks for the link GSM. It highlights the reason for the prison sentences clearly.

I’ve read the judgement, thank you GSM.
I think they deserve the sentences that they received.
I’m sure Starmer will be relieved that they are out of the way at the beginning of his tenure at number ten. Disruption on that scale is something he won’t want to be dealing with at this stage.

I bet that won’t stop the protesters. They have no regard for the law and are happy to be imprisoned as martyrs.