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 at Gatwick Airport just a day earlier.
But unlike their past actions, this one didn’t grab much attention.
Police arrested the activists within 15 minutes, and flights continued without interruption.
Even Judge Duncan highlighted that the “unprecedented disruption” they promised never actually happened.
Familiar Faces Among Protesters
One of the activists sentenced was Phoebe Plummer, who previously gained notoriety for throwing soup over Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ as part of a protest against fossil fuels.
Another, Jane Touil, 58, used the moment to deliver a passionate statement in court, shouting:
“Refuse to die for fossil fuels.
We’ve just lived through the hottest two days on record.
Last year was the hottest year in recorded history.”
Despite the dramatic statements, the judge remained firm in her ruling, stating that some protesters had been dishonest during the trial about their real intentions.
What’s Next for Just Stop Oil?
The verdict reflects a turning point for climate activism in the UK.
The court’s message was clear: protest is a right, but misusing legal resources and exaggerating intentions won’t be taken lightly.
As Just Stop Oil continues its campaign, it remains to be seen whether future protests will follow the same playbook—or if this ruling prompts a different approach.