Not all dramatic protests end with handcuffs and prison bars.
That’s exactly the case for a group of Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists who were sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court this week.
Even though they were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, none of the nine protesters will be spending any additional time behind bars.
A Bold Plan That Never Took Off
Back in July 2023, the group set out to pull off what they hoped would be a headline-making protest at Heathrow Airport.
Their aim? To cause what they described as “unprecedented disruption” during the busy summer travel season.
But the plan never really got off the ground.
Police intercepted the protest before it caused any significant impact.
No airport fences were breached, and no travelers were actually affected.
Flights continued as usual, and Heathrow confirmed it was business as usual throughout the stunt.
The Court Was Not Impressed
Although the activists avoided jail, Judge Hannah Duncan didn’t hold back during sentencing.
She called out the group’s lack of remorse and accused them of treating the courtroom like a public stage instead of a legal venue.
“You treated this courtroom like a protest site,” she said.
“Some of you dragged the trial out for seven weeks, stretching the process unnecessarily and using it for publicity.”
She also reminded them that courtrooms aren’t just places for protest statements — they’re where real victims of crime seek justice.
“There are women and children who’ve been abused or assaulted waiting for courtrooms to open,” she added.
“You used one up to make your point.”
A Tactic That Didn’t Land
The group had stationed themselves inside Terminal 5, using orange paint to cover the floors, windows, and departure boards.
They even brought fire extinguishers as part of their display.
The protest followed a similar one
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