Four Just Stop Oil protestors who were caught in Gatley on their way to disrupt Manchester Airport have been jailed.

The four protestors - Indigo Rumbelow, Leanorah Ward, Margaret Reid, and Daniel Knorr - were sentenced today (Tuesday 27 May) to a total of seven years and five months, after a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.

The four were detained on 4 August 2024 on South Park Road in Gatley, as they were making their way to Manchester Airport.

They were equipped with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil high visibility vests and information leaflets.

The group had planned to enter the airport's airfield, stick themselves to the runway with glue and sand, with the goal of disrupting airport activity and gaining media attention.

Greater Manchester Police said the protest was "deliberately planned to coincide with the height of the summer holidays, targeting the public and their families".

Rad Taylor, director of aerodrome operations at Manchester Airport said the actions would have posed 'a significant safety risk', the potential consequences of which 'do not bear thinking about'.

The protestors were carrying bolt cutters when they were arrested (Image - GMP)

Leonorah Ward was found in possession of a handwritten note detailing the disruption plans. In Ward's interview, she stated that she regretted that their attempts were unsuccessful due to being caught by the police.

Police also searched a rental property in Gatley where the four were staying. Officers recovered several items from the bin including a provisional driving license of Knorr and a camera harness.

Following the Minshull Street trial, they were found guilty of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. 

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: "As Just Stop Oil activists threatened a summer of disruption, police forces across the country began preparations to ensure the groups attempts were unsuccessful, and most importantly, to ensure the public were not at risk of harm as a result of their activity. [...]

 "Anyone who disrupts the safety and security of an airport can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly, and following a meticulous investigation, we welcome these sentences today and thank the jury for their service."

The protestors were also found with Just Stop Oil vests (Image - GMP)

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten, said: "It was vital that we prevented this from happening. People work hard for their time off, and we have a duty to ensure they can enjoy it without fear or disruption.

"The group's actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the impact on the lives of those travelling via Greater Manchester, and I welcome the sentences handed down today.

"I hope this outcome serves as a clear warning: anyone who seeks to disrupt the public will face the full force of the law."

Nicola Wells, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: "Four Just Stop Oil protesters have been sentenced today after they were intercepted by the police on route to cause disruption at Manchester Airport on 5 August 2024.

"This was a targeted attack, at the height of summer, against one of the country's busiest airports, where they planned to glue themselves to the taxiways of the airport and cause serious disruption to the travel plans of tens of thousands of individuals.

"Whenever the right to protest crosses into criminality, whether by causing a public nuisance or distress to members of the public, we will not hesitate to prosecute these cases."

~

Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X