Coal train protestors’ convictions overturned

Protestors who were convicted of obstructing a coal train headed to Drax power station in 2008 today had their criminal sentences overturned. Judges at the High Court heard the appeal […]

Protestors who were convicted of obstructing a coal train headed to Drax power station in 2008 today had their criminal sentences overturned.

Judges at the High Court heard the appeal from 29 climate change protestors whose actions reportedly caused £37,000 worth of damage.

In 2009 and 2010 they were sentenced with one man given 60 hours of community service.

However Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC gave them leave to appeal because a former undercover police officer Mark Kennedy was part of the protest. This was apparently not revealed during the court case.

One of the protesters freed today said: “We’re relieved to have our convictions overturned but still some bigger questions remain unanswered and require a bigger public inquiry in to the matter.”

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