Teenage eco-warrior Christiana Tugwell has celebrated a court victory - with help from the This Is Essex partner paper the Evening Echo.

Christiana, 16, fought to get newspaper reporting restrictions lifted after being accused of unlawful obstruction on the protest site in Hockley.

She and her lawyers are anxious for other protesters to come forward to give evidence on her behalf "in the interests of justice".

Magistrates at Basildon Youth Court agreed to partially lift the restrictions - a rare legal move - to help Christiana proceed with her case when it goes ahead on March 28.

Their decision was ambiguous so the Echo and Christiana's barrister Cathy Halloran asked the magistrates to clarify the matter.

This included permission to have the youngster's picture published in the media and the chance to highlight her part in the seven-month campaign.

Bench chairwoman Beryl Jones, sitting with two other magistrates, said that after considering the case, publicity would be in the rebel girl's interest.

The magistrate said she was determined to avoid a long adjournment because the case "must move on".

Christiana, sporting her familiar dreadlocks, was released on conditional bail.

She was ordered not to visit the controversial site in Etheldore Avenue where developers, Countryside Residential, plan to build 66 luxury homes.

Christiana said she was "fairly pleased" with the hearing. Accompanied by her 53-year-old mother Maria, the teenager wore a floppy jumper, jeans and heavy, mud-caked boots.

No plea was taken on the charge of unlawfully obstructing a workman from using his tools, namely a chainsaw. The charge comes under the Trade Union Act of 1992.

Miss Halloran began the day of courtroom drama by explaining that to leave reporting restrictions in place would be a profound injustice.

The barrister said Christiana was well-known for her long-standing campaign which was very much in the public domain. If she was to refute the allegations, it would be crucial for co-protesters to appear on her behalf as witnesses.

She pointed out that some of the warriors had moved to other protest sites or from the immediate area.

The only way to contact them would be through the media.

If anyone can assist Christiana, they are asked to contact her solicitor Paul Brown at 275 Grays Inn Road, London. Or telephone 02078 334433.

Small victory - Christiana outside Basildon court where she won the right for reporting restrictions on her case to be lifted

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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