Please note that articles may contain affilitate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Saturday, 6 February 2021

Sticky Situation Lands Extinction Rebellion Activist Behind Bars

An Extinction Rebellion activist has been jailed for contempt of court after gluing himself to the dock and livestreaming the ensuing disruption on social media.

Arainn Hawker, 49, of Thorney, Somerset, was appearing for trial at City of London Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 4th February 2021 when the incident took place.

Contempt of court in the Magistrates' Court has a maximum penalty of one months' custody and/or a fine at level 4 (currently £2,500). We have previously written an article about misbehaviour in the Magistrates' Court, which some readers may find of interest.

Hawker, who had denied a charge of wilfully obstructing the highway, was somehow able to produce a tube of glue and adhere his own hand to the glass frontage of the secure dock. Furthermore, he was able to use a mobile phone to broadcast the shenanigans over the internet.

Speaking during the livestream, Hawker said: "The courts are in contempt of human rights and civil justice.

"I believe the courts have completely failed to come up with an adequate response to the climate and ecological emergency from the Magistrates not accepting the legal defence of necessity right through to the CPS prosecuting."

According to Extinction Rebellion's Riz Choudhury, who was also present in the courtroom, it took around 30 minutes to free Hawker from the glass panel.

The trial did eventually reach its conclusion, with Hawker convicted of wilfully obstructing the highway during an Oxford Circus protest in October 2019.

He was handed a nine-month conditional discharge for that offence.

Additionally, Deputy District Judge Stuart Miller jailed him for seven days for contempt of court.

No comments: