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Drax train protesters 'acted reasonably'
THE jury will continue its deliberations today in the trial of 22 environmental protesters accused of stopping a train carrying coal to Drax Power Station, near Selby.
Several of the activists told the jury in evidence and closing submissions at Leeds Crown Court they consider they acted reasonably in trying to stop carbon emissions from the power station for as long as possible, saving lives in the process.
They argue they were not acting unlawfully and should be acquitted because their protest was proportionate in view of the damage being caused.
Judge James Spencer QC sent the jury out yesterday after outlining the law on the charge of obstruction of an engine.
He told them: "This is not a debating society. This case is not about global warming, it is not about climate change, it is about the coal train and why and whether it was stopped on the day and by whom.
"It is about whether these defendants or any one of them did an unlawful act stopping the train, that is all it is about, motive doesn't matter in this case. As I ruled already they do not have a lawful defence of necessity or prevention of crime.
"In order to be faithful to your oath or affirmation you have to concentrate on the allegation and consider only that."
Beth Whelan, 23, from Stockton-on-Tees, said the protest was necessary to confront the danger to health and the environment posed by Drax. "A not guilty verdict will not cause social breakdown but would sow seeds of hope," she said.
Jonathan Stevenson, 27, from London, said: "We still believe it was urgently necessary to do what we did."
He told the jury they had the flexibility to reach not guilty verdicts, looking outside the courtroom to the outer world.
Those on trial, who are defending themselves, each deny obstructing a railway engine or carriages by an unlawful act or acts, on June 13 last year.
The other defendants are: Paul Chatterton, 36 and Louise Hemmerman, 31 of Leeds; Grainne Gannon, 26, Theo Bard, 24, Amy Clancy, 24, Brian Farelly, 32, Bryn Hoskins, 24, Jasmin Karalis, 25, Ellen Potts, 33; Bertie Russell, 24 and Felix Wight from London; Melanie Evans, 25, from Stockport; Matthew Fawcett, 34, Robin Gillett, 23, Kristina Jones, 22, Thomas Spencer, 23,and Oliver Rodker, 40, from Manchester; Alison Stratford,26, from Louth, Lincolnshire; Paul Morozzo, 42, of Hebden Bridge; and Christopher Ward, 38, of Newport Pagnell.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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