Four Just Stop Oil protestors have been jailed after a plot to disrupt activity at Manchester Airport was foiled last August
Indigo Rumbelow, Leanorah Ward, Margaret Reid, and Daniel Knorr have been jailed for a collective seven years and five months
Policr arrested four people near Manchester Airport, and one man in Birmingham in the early hours of 5th August last year
Police detained four people, Indigo Rumbelow, Margaret Reid, Leanorah Ward, and Daniel Knorr, walking along South Park Road in Gatley, as they were making their way to Manchester Airport.
They were equipped with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil high visibility vests and a leaflet containing instructions to follow when interacting with police. Leanorah Ward was also found in possession of a handwritten note which detailed the motive of the group; to enter the airfield of Manchester Airport and to then contact the police to alert them of their activity.
They were planning to enter the airfield and stick themselves to the taxiway using the glue and sand, with one main goal; to disrupt airport activity and gain media attention. In Ward’s interview, she stated that she regretted that their attempts were unsuccessful due to being caught by the police.
Following their arrest, a search of a rental property they were staying at in Gatley was searched and officers recovered several items from the bin including a provisional driving license of Knorr and a camera harness.
As Just Stop Oil threatened a summer of disruption, police forces across the country worked together to ensure disruption was kept to a minimum, and that no members of the public were put at risk as a result of their activity.
Thankfully, as a result of extensive work and national coordination, GMP was able to detain and arrest these individuals, and prevent largescale disruption at Manchester Airport.
Following a trial at Minshull Crown Court four defendants; Indigo Rumbelow, Leanorah Ward, Margaret Reid and Daniel Knorr were found guilty of conspiracy to intentionally cause a public nuisance. Noah Crane was found not guilty.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes from Greater Manchester Police said: “As Just Stop Oil activists threatened a summer of disruption, police forces across the country began preparations to ensure the groups attempts were unsuccessful, and most importantly, to ensure the public were not at risk of harm as a result of their activity.
“Bringing together experts in the field, and through extensive collaboration, Greater Manchester Police successfully foiled their plans. A meticulous investigation followed, and today, we have seen those responsible jailed for a collective seven years and five months.
“This result is testament to all the hard-working officers across the force, when faced with complex and uncertain situations, we will always use the full resources of Greater Manchester Police to protect the public, prevent disruptions, and ensure people are brought to justice.
“Anyone who disrupts the safety and security of an airport can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly, and following a meticulous investigation, we welcome these sentences today and thank the jury for their service.”
