Climate change protester fined over airport demo

Katherine Mackay, of Shipley, was one of the Plane Stupid campaigners who secured themselves to fencing and climbed on the roof of the terminal building at Aberdeen Airport on March 3 last year.

A jury at Aberdeen Sheriff Court found the nine guilty of breaching the peace following a 10-day trial in June this year. Two vandalism charges were dropped.

Ms Mackay, 21, and the other eight protesters who are from Scotland, each received a fine of between 300 and 700 from Sheriff Colin Harris, a court spokeswoman said.

Fellow protester Dan Glass, who was given a 600 penalty, said in a statement: "Against the backdrop of the Copenhagen Summit failures and new waves of climate chaos, all over the world people demanding climate justice have complained to the politicians and to the judges.

"It's time we did something for ourselves. The Climate 9 provide an opportunity to spread the need for urgent action, to halt airport growth and to challenge the authorities with pride and confidence.

"Whatever we received today, this climate court trial won't be the last time. Our future and the health of every species is too important to leave it in the hands of the few."

Following the conviction, Aberdeen Airport said it sent out a strong message that the actions of the nine activists were not acceptable.

A spokeswoman said: "We fully accept people's right to object to issues such as climate change and to make their voices heard. Demonstrating in this manner, however, was irresponsible.

"Had the airport not taken prompt action by closing the flying operation, someone could have been seriously hurt."