Six eco-protesters were yesterday fined as little as £100 for a printing press blockade which prevented newspapers being delivered to shops.
The stunt saw more than a million papers and magazines destroyed and recycled as lorries were barred from entering or leaving the site for nine hours, a court heard.
More than 100 Extinction Rebellion activists blocked entrances to printworks at Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley, Merseyside, on September 4, 2020, stopping the distribution of 3.5million newspapers – including the Daily Mail.
The mob, who used vans, bamboo structures and even a boat, claimed they wanted to send a message about global warming.
Yesterday’s conviction of six people for aggravated trespass over the Knowsley blockade brings the total of convictions over the two stunts to at least 28 – although no one is believed to have been sent to prison.
![Protesters blocked print works in locations such as Broxbourne, Hertfordshire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68282925-11814665-image-a-41_1677801817408.jpg)
Protesters blocked print works in locations such as Broxbourne, Hertfordshire
![Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68282923-11814665-image-a-42_1677801910697.jpg)
Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100
Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100.
The 24-year-old daughter of a jewellery designer now works for a market garden for her bed and board.
Stuart Akroyd, 47, a father-of-five who ‘survives on donations’ as he does not take benefits for ‘ideological’ reasons, was fined the same amount.
Also of no fixed address, he has previous convictions including obstructing a constable.
![Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68283487-11814665-image-a-53_1677802399476.jpg)
Former zoology student Lydia Dibben, of no fixed address, was fined £100
![Thomas Dalton, 23, of Bristol, who the court heard earns £25,000 a year, was fined £300](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68283481-11814665-image-a-58_1677802514001.jpg)
Thomas Dalton, 23, of Bristol, who the court heard earns £25,000 a year, was fined £300
![Stuart Akroyd, 47, a father-of-five who ‘survives on donations’ as he does not take benefits for ‘ideological’ reasons, was fined £100](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68283477-11814665-image-a-56_1677802468853.jpg)
Stuart Akroyd, 47, a father-of-five who ‘survives on donations’ as he does not take benefits for ‘ideological’ reasons, was fined £100
William Morgan, 40, a private tutor from Sheffield who has a maths PhD, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, as was apprentice carpenter Rhiann Beaumont, 27, of no fixed address. Roman Paluch-Machnik, 29, of Hanwell, London, was fined £100 while Thomas Dalton, 23, of Bristol, who the court heard earns £25,000 a year, was fined £300.
All six, none of whom gave evidence at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, were each ordered to pay £750 towards prosecution costs plus a victim surcharge.
Earlier Thomas Challinor, prosecuting, said whatever the ‘righteousness or otherwise’ of their cause, the economic damage was considerable.
![William Morgan, 40, a private tutor from Sheffield who has a maths PhD, was given a 12-month conditional discharge](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68283483-11814665-image-a-54_1677802415915.jpg)
William Morgan, 40, a private tutor from Sheffield who has a maths PhD, was given a 12-month conditional discharge
![Apprentice carpenter Rhiann Beaumont, 27, of no fixed address was given a 12-month conditional discharge](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/03/00/68283489-11814665-image-a-55_1677802432642.jpg)
Apprentice carpenter Rhiann Beaumont, 27, of no fixed address was given a 12-month conditional discharge