Just Stop Oil protesters who carried out Lord's stunt during Ashes Test given 12-month community orders and ordered to pay costs
The Just Stop Oil protest carried out by Judit Murray, 69, Daniel Knorr, 21, and Jacob Bourne, 27, stopped play during the first morning of the second men's Ashes Test at Lord's; they must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and pay fines £444 each
Tuesday 24 October 2023 13:05, UK
The three climate change protesters that disrupted the second men's Ashes Test at Lord's this summer have been given 12-month community orders.
The Just Stop Oil protest carried out by Judit Murray, 69, Daniel Knorr, 21, and Jacob Bourne, 27, stopped play during the first morning of the match between England and Australia on June 28.
Following sentencing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, they must all carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and pay fines of £444 each. Knorr, speaking before sentencing, said he would continue to disrupt sporting events.
The trio were found guilty of aggravated trespass after running on to the field of play and throwing an orange powder on to the pitch.
Knorr, addressing reporters outside of Westminster Magistrates Court, justified the protest by saying: "The Ashes was a massive cultural event. It had a big international audience.
"Australia and Britain are two big, economically powerful countries with a lot of responsibility to determine the future of our species.
"I'm going to carry on in civil resistance until we win this fight. It's too important. Hundreds and millions of lives are at stake; there's no way I can stop."
England player Jonny Bairstow carried Knorr off the pitch, while champagne corks and fruit were thrown by cricket fans at Bourne as he was led off the field, and Murray was tackled before she could reach the wicket and held down on the grass.
Asked if Bairstow said anything to him when removing him from the Lord's outfield, Knorr added: "No he didn't. I tried to speak to him but I don't think he was in the best mood that day."
When being charged last month, the trio said they wanted to create headlines for their climate change protest and did not want to cause disruption or damage the pitch.
District judge Neeta Minhas said she was satisfied the trio had breached the well-publicised rules which state that ticket-holders cannot trespass, go on to the field of play or stage demonstrations.
