Just Stop Oil ringleader found guilty of setting up Heathrow runway plot

One of the organisers of a Just Stop Oil (JSO) plan to disrupt flights at Heathrow by having members glue themselves onto the airport’s runways, has been convicted in court.

Following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court, which started on Monday, January 27, eight JSO members were found guilty of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance at Heathrow Airport. A ninth member had previously pleaded guilty to the same offence.

Among them was William Goldring, 27, of Rye Lane, Southwark, one of two key organisers, along with Rosa Hicks, 29, of Wharf Hill, Winchester.

On Wednesday, July 24 last year, Met officers intercepted two JSO groups, close to the perimeter fence of the airport.

The groups, made up of seven JSO members, were immediately arrested and found in possession of angle grinders and glue, indicating their intention to cut through the perimeter fence and attach themselves to the airfield’s surface.

Those arrested also had JSO branded high-visibility vests and a prepared statement, confirming their intention to go onto the taxiway, a part of the airfield where planes are moved from the hangar to the runway.

If they had been successful, the group would have had to cross one of the airport’s runways, endangering the lives of themselves, airport staff and those on flights taking off and landing.

Goldring was also arrested on the same day .

During the seven-week trial, the court heard that if the group had broken through the security fence and gained access to the airfield, there would have been significant safety and operational consequences, including stopping all departures and affecting nearly 260,000 passengers that day.

Chief Superintendent Ian Howells, from the Met’s Aviation Policing Command, said: “Last year, Just Stop Oil threatened a summer of disruption and the Met worked with police forces across the country to make sure this didn’t happen and that no members of the public were put at risk as a result of their activity.

“The reckless actions of this particular group would have not only put their own lives and the lives of others in danger, but caused havoc at Heathrow airport, bringing flights to a standstill.

“There is a clear distinction between peaceful protest and the criminal activity that this group sought to carry out.

“This kind of action will not be tolerated and the Met will continue to work with all our partners to protect the public, prevent disruption to Londoners and those visiting our city and bring offenders to justice.”

The group will all be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, May 16.

Pictured top: William Goldring from Southwark (Picture: The Met)