PROTESTORS who caused thousands of hours of delays for motorists have been convicted after a three week trial.

Activists, believed to be members of Insulate Britain, caused chaos on September 13 2021 after blocking a major roundabout beneath the M25.

They prevented drivers from accessing a key junction close to junction 31 on the M25 at the A282, which also impacted traffic across the A13 and the A20.

The demonstrators were arrested by Essex Police before they were all charged with causing a public nuisance.

An Essex Police investigation has since concluded the protest resulted in a total estimated economic impact of at least £118,000 and about 6,500 hours lost in delays to thousands of motorists.

Following a three week trial at Reading Crown Court all 11 members of the group were found guilty on Thursday. 

Seven members of the group denied the offence while four others had previously admitted the offence.

The entire group is due to be sentenced at the same court on April 19.

Detective Sergeant Chris Arnold who led the investigation, said: “This is a great result following an extensive and exhaustive investigation.

"The trial was tough, but the prosecution team managed to overcome the many obstacles placed by the defence.

“This result is a testament to the hard work of the investigative team, not least PC Jamie Cunningham, PC Ann Marie Hardingham, PC Elizabeth Ferris, without whom we wouldn’t have had such a positive result.

“Protest is essential to our democracy and our way of life and policing will always seek to facilitate it.

"What happened in September 2021 was not legal, it was criminal disruption which severely impacted on a many people.”

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Nelson, who directed the team’s work as senior investigating officer, said: “The work of Chris, Jamie, Ann Marie and Elizabeth cannot be underestimated.

“In total, their work has led to more than 90 convictions related to road disruption in 2021."

Those now convicted after trial are:

Biff Whipster, 56, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury  

Nicholas Till, 68, of Rheidol Terrace, London, N1

Nicholas Onley, 61, of Richmond Road, London, N15

Rob Stuart, 42, Chingford Road, London, E17 

Louise Lancaster, 58, of High Street, Barton, Cambridge

Janine Eagling, 63, of Tower Hamlets Road, London, E17

David Crawford, 70, of Falkland Road, Dorking.

 

Those convicted after earlier admitting the offence: 

Tim Speers, 38, of Princes Avenue, Hull

Stefania Morosi, 46, of Hessel Road, London, W13

Donald Bell, 68, of Bliss Way, Cambridge

Gabriella Ditton, 30, of Silver Road, Norwich.