Kingston University lecturer Jan Goodey, 57, was sentenced to six months in prison at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, after taking part in Just Stop Oil protests early in November.
Goodey, a journalism lecturer and Course Director MA Magazine Journalism, was arrested after climbing onto a gantry at junction 16 on the M25 on November 7 and was charged with causing a public nuisance.
His was the first trial of the new statutory offence of intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance, enacted under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court Act 2022, section 78.
The magistrate initially imposed a sentence of nine months, which was reduced to six months due to a guilty plea by Goodey.
At the hearing, the magistrate spoke of wanting to use the sentence as a “deterrent” against further disruption of ordinary people going about their “lawful business”.
Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand an end to new oil and gas projects in the UK.
As well as Goodey, two other Just Stop Oil supporters, Anthony Whitehouse and Arne Springorum, are due in Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, also charged with public nuisance for taking part in the M25 disruptions.
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said: “This shows that our Government would rather lock up peaceful protesters than put an end to new oil and gas, which will destroy everything we know and love. We will continue to do everything non-violently possible to stop this horror. This is what Jan has done.”
Yesterday a group of around 12 Just Stop Oil climate change activists walked along the Strand carrying banners, slowing cars and buses.
Balsam Maki
James Woodham
Dharmi Dave