The climate campaigner who was jailed yesterday for contempt of court over a pipeline protest is to appeal.
on 7 September 2022. Photo: Used with the owner’s consent
Yesterday, a high court judge sentenced Scott Breen, 48, to 112 days in prison.
His lawyers confirmed today that he would challenge the sentence at the court of appeal.
Mr Breen spent more than 30 days on land at Chertsey in Surrey used by contractors on Esso’s Southampton to London Pipeline Project (SLPP). In court, he admitted breaching the injunction preventing protest on the pipeline route.
His lawyers told DrillOrDrop:
“It is our case that the sentence should have been suspended because he was a peaceful protester. He was exercising his right of freedom of expression and peacefully protesting about his opposition to this pipeline.”
People who are jailed for contempt of court have a right of appeal and challenges are often dealt with quickly.
Mr Breen’s case is expected to come back to court within weeks.
He is likely to be released in November 2022, because almost all people jailed serve half their sentence.
Updated 7/9/22 to correct length of sentence
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