An eco-extremist from the Czech Republic who caused disruption on the M25 by jumping onto a gantry as part of a Just Stop Oil demonstration avoided jail time.
On November 7, the geologist Arne Springorum admitted to causing a public disturbance by assisting to close the busiest motorway in Britain near junction 13 in Godstone, Surrey.
The 50-year-old Quaker, who does not reside in the United Kingdom, was a member of an army of climate change campaigners that caused chaos in London.
Thursday, following a 24-hour, 800-mile bus ride from Prague to London, Springorum attended a 15-minute sentencing hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Following a demonstration with Insulate Britain a year prior, the activist shut down the M25 for a second time last month.
The eco-extremist from the Czech Republic went free from court after receiving a suspended six-month prison sentence for blocking the M25 for a second time in a year in 2021 as part of a protest organized by Insulate Britain. He was photographed in front of Westminster Magistrates’ Court
Geologist Arne Springorum assisted with the closure of the M25 near junction 13, Godstone, Surrey on November 7 after climbing the gantry above the motorway.
The protestor, however, was permitted to leave the courtroom after receiving a suspended sentence from the magistrates. Last month, he had previously pled guilty during an earlier hearing.
Prosecutor Jonathan Bryan stated, “This event occurred around half past seven in the morning.”
“In this case, police said that at 7:30 a.m. they got reports of protestors climbing gantries, specifically one near junction 13.
At the time, the highway was severely congested. This defendant was the protester who was fastened to the gantry when the office went to meet him. He carried a flag that read, “Just Stop Oil.”
The court heard that Springorum risked distracting cars during the demonstration and that objects could have fallen from the gantry onto the roadway below.
The adjoining exit ramp and all but two lanes of the interstate were closed for more than two hours by the police.
Mr. Bryan stated, “Two hours later, at 10.30 a.m., there was an arrest and a protest removal team was called in to remove him from the gantry.”
I believe it’s accurate to state that the M25 is the busiest highway in the country, and that junction 13 is one of its busiest intersections, therefore the incident caused significant inconvenience and risk for vehicles.
The punishment of the father of four, who possesses both German and Czech citizenship, was suspended for two years.
As thousands of commuters sought to get to work during rush hour, the activity wreaked havoc on the highway (pictured)
In November, a Just Stop Oil activist was photographed occupying a gantry over the M25 in Godstone, Surrey, while traffic was held up.
A photograph depicts police arresting a guy after Just Stop Oil activists caused massive traffic backups on the M25 last month.
After protesters from Just Stop Oil scaled a gantry on the M25, specially trained police officers had to use ropes to bring them down.
District Judge Joanna Evans told Springorum, ‘I have no doubt that you feel strongly about this issue.’
“Climate change is an urgent issue that the entire world must address, but you don’t need to deliver a 15-minute speech on the subject.”
Springorum stated, “I don’t understand the system, there are people going to jail,” when he was forced to leave the dock. This is an extremely important matter, and I will respect the court’s decision, but I disagree with how it is being handled.’
After pumping his fist and posing for photographs outside the court, Springorum stated, ‘I took all efforts to prevent unnecessary harm to drivers and passengers on the M25.
“We had professional climbing training, notified the media and police in advance, and encouraged the public to avoid the M25, calculate extra time, and limit their speed; everything was secured with ropes.” There was nothing on my person that could have slipped off.
“I continuously requested the cops not to climb up to me without climbing equipment, to stop the other two open roads.
“My conduct was not irresponsible; rather, it was calculated, premeditated, and part of a well planned operation to cause maximum disruption on the M25 while maintaining maximum safety for all parties involved.”
Springorum stated that he feels’sympathy and regret’ for those he inconvenienced.
However, this is not the first time the Czech climate activist has appeared in court.
Earlier this year, Insulate Britain protesters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Springorum was spotted in front of London’s High Court in February after he was ruled he was not in contempt of court for a November 2021 demonstration along the M25.
He was dragged before the High Court in February after he participated in an Insulate Britain demonstration on the M25, nearly precisely a year after he climbed the motorway gantry for Just Stop Oil.
A judge concluded that he and three other eco-terrorists did not violate an injunction on November 2, 2021, at a demonstration at the South Mimms roundabout near the M25.
After Springorum, Liam Norton, 37, and Jessica Causby, 25, participated in a protest beside the road, National Highways launched contempt of court charges against them.
During their protest activity, Mr. Springorum and Ms. Causby allegedly attached themselves to the sidewalk, while Mr. Norton allegedly “threatened traffic flow.”
The purpose of the protest was to obstruct the M25 near Junction 23 at Bignells Corner in Potters Bar, but Lord Justice William Davis ruled that the M25 injunction did not apply to that region.
He stated, “Their applications have been denied, thus there is no further mention of them in these proceedings.” The court informed the demonstrators that they were free to leave.