Environmental activists sentenced after Met foils plot to bring Heathrow Airport to a standstill

Nine Just Stop Oil (JSO) protestors have been sentenced after Met officers proactively intervened to prevent their plan to glue themselves onto Heathrow’s runways.

Following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court, which started on Monday, 27 January, eight JSO members were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance at Heathrow Airport. A ninth member had previously pleaded guilty to the same offence.

On Wednesday, 24 July 2024, Met officers intercepted two JSO groups, close to the perimeter fence of the airport. The groups, made up of seven JSO members, were immediately arrested and found in possession of angle grinders and glue, indicating their intention to cut through the perimeter fence and attach themselves to the airfield’s surface.

Those arrested also had JSO branded high-visibility vests and a prepared statement, confirming their intention to go onto the taxiway, a part of the airfield where planes are moved from the hangar to the runway. If they had been successful, the group would have had to cross one of the airport’s runways, endangering the lives of themselves, airport staff and those on flights taking off and landing.

Two key organisers were also arrested on the same day.

During the seven-week trial, the court heard that if the group had broken through the security fence and gained access to the airfield, there would have been significant safety and operational consequences, including stopping all departures and affecting nearly 260,000 passengers that day.

The court heard that in some instances, passengers would need to be diverted to other airports nationally and internationally, leaving them potentially stranded for days.

Chief Superintendent Ian Howells, from the Met's Aviation Policing Command, said:

“Last year, Just Stop Oil threatened a summer of disruption and the Met worked with police forces across the country to make sure this didn’t happen and that no members of the public were put at risk as a result of their activity.

“The reckless actions of this particular group would have not only put their own lives and the lives of others in danger, but caused havoc at Heathrow airport, bringing flights to a standstill.

“There is a clear distinction between peaceful protest and the criminal activity that this group sought to carry out.

“This kind of action will not be tolerated and the Met will continue to work with all our partners to protect the public, prevent disruption to Londoners and those visiting our city and bring offenders to justice.

“Today’s result is a clear example of this, and a reminder to anyone tempted to carry out similar actions that they will face the full force of the law.”

The group appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 16 May where they were sentenced to the following:

• Sally Davidson, 37 (27.08.1987) of Easton Street, Portland sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
• Adam Beard, 55 (20.04.1969) of Stanton Road, Stroud was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
• Luke Elson, 32 (17.02.1993) of Buxton Road, Stratford was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 24 months and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.
• Luke Watson, 35 (13.09.1989) of Tottenham Marshes was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
• Sean O’Callaghan, 30 (24.09.1994) of Old London Road, Dorking was sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
• Hannah Schafer, 61 (23.08.1963) of Tanygroes, Ceredigion was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
• Rory Wilson, 26 (22.05.1998) of Lipton Road, Tower Hamlets was sentenced to 10 months in prison

• Rosa Hicks, 29 (01.09.1995) of Wharf Hill, Winchester was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
• William Goldring, 27 (25.07.1997) of Rye Lane, Southwark was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.