Three Lancashire councillors found guilty of blocking Preston New Road during anti-fracking protest
12 people in total were convicted for obstructing a highway earlier this year.
Last updated 17th Nov 2017
Three Lancashire councillors have been found guilty of blocking Preston New Road during an anti-fracking protest.
Gina Dowding, Julie Brickles and Miranda Cox were among 12 campaigners convicted for obstructing the highway earlier this year.
Each defendant was each given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs and victim surcharge totaling £270 by Blackpool Magistrates Court. There were no fines issued.
All 12, including three councilors, were found guilty of willful obstruction of the highway, under the Highways Act 1980, section 137(1), but the charges relating to the Trade Union Act and Labour (Consolidation) Act 1992, section 24, were all dismissed due to the Crown Prosecution failing to provide sufficient evidence to their case.
The judge stated that he saw “no evidence of civil wrong” in relation to the Trade Union charge.
Green Party County Councillor Gina Dowding said:
“Shale gas is neither needed nor wanted. The UK government’s commitment to go all out for shale and impose this on the British people, and particularly to impose the risks on the people of Lancashire, is nothing short of perverse.
“The biggest risk to our local and national interest is that of climate change: it is the overriding national issue. I was driven to take direct action to raise publicity and persuade our national politicians to act now to try and prevent it.”
Retired civil servant, Nick Danby issued a statement to the industry:
“Speaking directly to the fracking industry, its supporters and apologists: you will never have the social license here or anywhere. You will meet sustained resistance.
You are not welcome and we will do all that we can to protect our friends and families, our homes and our communities. And to those that invest in this industry – pull out now – you will never get your money back.”