R v. Brewer and others (Just Stop Oil protest, Esso terminal, Birmingham)

Seven protestors were found guilty of aggravated trespass by obstructing operations at an Esso fuel terminal in Birmingham. The campaign group, Just Stop Oil, held a protest at an Esso fuel terminal in Birmingham on the April 3, 2022. They were demanding an end to governmental support of new fossil fuel licences and projects. The 12 hour action meant that the fuel terminal was unable to operate as the protesters gathered within the site and in front of security barriers. The protest was part of a larger action taking place across England in conjunction with Extinction Rebellion. The defendants were sentenced in mid-February 2023 at the Wolverhampton Magistrates Court. Although a guilty verdict was reached for 7 of the 9 defendants, the judge was sympathetic to the cause of the protestors. There was a dispute as to what his sentencing remarks were. According to Just Stop Oil, he said, when noting the defendants’ “admirable aims”, that: “When the United Nations Secretary General gives a speech saying that the activity of fossil fuel companies is incompatible with human survival, we should all be very aware of the need for change.” The BBC followed up with an article setting out what the Judicial Office understood to be the judge’s comments. That version was also sympathetic to the defendants however, noting their explanations for their actions were ‘deeply emotive’ which ‘moved’ the judge. The convicted were given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs.