Insulate Britain activists are all JAILED: Judge sends eight eco-warriors to prison for four months for breaking injunction... and locks up ninth for six months after he defiantly told court: 'jail me or I'll block motorway AGAIN'
Nine Insulate Britain eco zealots were today jailed at the High Court after admitting breaching an injunction designed to prevent the group's road blockades on the M25 which caused two months of misery for motorists.
Two activists were jailed for three months, a further six were imprisoned for four months and the ninth, Ben Taylor, 27, received six months after telling the judge he would immediately block the motorway again.
Ben Buse, 36, Ana Heyatawin, 58, Louis McKechnie, 20, Roman Paluch, 28, Oliver Roc, 41, Emma Smart, 44, Tim Speers, 36, James Thomas, 47, and Mr Taylor all said they stood by their actions before they were sentenced.
Insulate Britain began a wave of protests in September, demanding the Government makes plans to insulate Britain's homes. They blocked roads around London as well as in Birmingham, Manchester and Dover.
The demonstrations saw activists glue themselves to the road before they were removed by police. At least 161 activists have been involved on 19 days of protests so far and there have been at least 860 arrests.
Yesterday, Taylor told the court if he is not in prison he will 'go and block the motorway at the earliest opportunity and will continue to do so until the Government makes a meaningful statement and acts on it'. He added: 'If you somehow manage to stop all non-violent protests, then things will only turn violent.'
An Insulate Britain spokesman said today: 'This morning our Insulate Britain supporters have been sentenced. We are being failed and betrayed by our government. Our nine chose not to standby and be complicit in genocide.'
More to follow
Six of the nine Insulate Britain activists arrive at the High Court in London for sentencing this morning
Insulate Britain activist Ben Taylor (left) arrives at the High Court in London for sentencing this morning
Insulate Britain activist Emma Smart (left) waves as she arrives at the High Court in London for sentencing this morning
Insulate Britain activist Ana Heyatawin arrives at the High Court in London today for sentencing this morning
Insulate Britain activist Tim Speers receives a hug as he arrives at the High Court for sentencing this morning
Insulate Britain activist Roman Paluch (right) walks into the High Court in London for sentencing today
Labour MP John McDonnell (left) talks with Insulate Britain activist Oliver Roc (right) at the High Court in London today
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