Today's Terrible Judge: Chris Hehir

Five environmental activists who organised protests that brought part of the #M25 to a standstill over four days have been jailed. Forty-five #JustStopOil protesters climbed gantries on the motorway in November 2022, forcing police to stop the traffic, in an attempt to cause gridlock across southern England. #JudgeChristopherHehir said Roger Hallam, 58, Daniel Shaw, 38, Louise Lancaster, 58, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, 35, and Cressida Gethin, 22, had "crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic". At #Southwark Crown Court, Hallam was sentenced to five years' imprisonment while the other defendants each received four-year jail terms. But back in April 2024, during police officer Longmate's sentencing at #SouthwarkCrownCourt Judge Christopher Hehir said his actions amounted to a "very grave betrayal of trust" and had left the woman "humiliated", but said he did not want to send him to jail "to bring this sad and sorry tale to its end with a final act of mercy" and so he supplied a fully suspended sentence to a rapist.

Sources:

Liam Barnes, "Matthew Longmate", BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-derbyshire-68800852

Tom Symonds, "Just Stop Oil Protestors", BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c880xjx54mpo

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