Anti-fracking campaigners at Brighton Magistrates Court
Anti-fracking campaigners mark the start of Balcombe protest trial of Caroline Lucas and 4 others. The trial is expected to last all week.
Balcombe anti-fracking cases – courts update for week ending March 21st
21st March 2014 This week there were five court cases listed that arose from last year’s anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site at Balcombe. Here’s a summary of what happened with links to court reports.
Anti-fracking campaigner found guilty of obstruction – despite “unnecessary charge”
21st March 2014 A veteran environmental campaigner who walked with his aunt’s springer spaniel in front of a lorry delivering to Cuadrilla’s Balcombe drilling site was found guilty of obstruction this morning – even though the policeman who arrested him said the case should be dropped.
Poet recites statment in verse about arrest at anti-fracking protest
March 20th 2014 Simon Welsh, the poet arrested for singing outside the gate of Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site in Balcombe, explained in verse this afternoon why he thought he had done nothing wrong. Mr Welsh, 34, of High Street, Balcombe, went into the witness box at Brighton Magistrates […]
Balcombe anti-fracking case continues after judge rules there is a case to answer
The judge at the trial of Simon Welsh, the poet arrested while singing at the Balcombe anti-fracking protests, has ruled there is a case to answer and the hearing should continue. Mr Welsh, 34, of High Street, Balcombe, denies he failed to comply with a condition on protesting […]
Judge to hear legal argument in Caroline Lucas anti-fracking case
20th March 2014 A judge is expected to hear legal arguments this morning about the disclosure of information in the anti-fracking protest case involving the MP Caroline Lucas and four other campaigners. The full case, which is due start on Monday (24th March), was brought under Section 14 […]
Judge considers whether there is a case to answer in Balcombe anti-fracking protest case
19th March 2014 The judge at the trial of Simon Welsh, the Balcombe poet arrested at an anti-fracking demonstration while singing a protest song, has retired to consider whether to dismiss the case halfway through. Defence barrister, Tom Wainwright argued there was no case to answer because the […]
Balcombe resident arrested while leading anti-fracking protest song
19th March 2014 Brighton Magistrates Court heard this morning how poet Simon Welsh was arrested at the Balcombe anti-fracking demonstrations, while leading a group of singers in the Balcombe anthem. This was a protest song written by Mr Welsh and sung to the tune of Jerusalem. Mr Walsh, 34, […]
Balcombe anti-fracking protests likely to seriously disrupt community – former Chief Constable tells court
18th March 2014 The former chief constable of Sussex explained this afternoon that he imposed restrictions on anti-fracking protesters at Balcombe because he believed the demonstrations would cause serious disruption to the life of the local community. Martin Richards, who retired from the police a week ago, was […]
Former chief constable tells court that Balcombe anti-fracking protests were “accelerating”
18th March 2014 The former Chief Constable of Sussex went into the witness box this morning to defend a notice he signed that required people at the Balcombe anti-fracking demonstrations to use a designated protest area. Martin Richards, who retired a week ago from Sussex Police, was giving […]
