Cleared: Jury decides that threat of global warming justifies breaking the law
11 09 08 - 13:21 The threat of global warming is so great that campaigners were justified in causing more than £35,000 worth of damage to a coal-fired power station, a jury decided yesterday. In a verdict that will have shocked ministers and energy companies the jury at Maidstone Crown Court cleared six Greenpeace activists of criminal damage.Jurors accepted defence arguments that the six had a "lawful excuse" to damage property at Kingsnorth power station in Kent to prevent even greater damage caused by climate change. The defence of "lawful excuse" under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 allows damage to be caused to property to prevent even greater damage – such as breaking down the door of a burning house to tackle a fire.
The not-guilty verdict, delivered after two days and greeted with cheers in the courtroom, raises the stakes for the most pressing issue on Britain's green agenda and could encourage further direct action.
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Wow! That's an excellent result. The activist's had some very distinguished witnesses speaking in their defence, so the jury must have been extremely impressed. Just as well the jury were not climate sceptics. So what position does that put coal-fired power stations in? It seems like open season on them and anyone charged can site the result of this case. Interesting to see what happens next.
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