Kingston University lecturer Jan Goodey has been sentenced to six months in prison for his involvement in a protest facilitated by activist group Just Stop Oil.
Goodey, 57, of Mafeking Road, Brighton, appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after having pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance at the same court on November 8.
On Monday 7 November, Goodey was arrested at junction 16 of the M25 for climbing a motorway gantry. Further protests took place on Tuesday 8 November, with gantries climbed and parts of the motorway blocked in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.
According to Just Stop Oil, Goodey was the first to be convicted of the new statutory offence enacted under the 2022 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.
Over both days, a total of 22 individuals were charged for their involvement in the protests as part of a joint operation by five different police forces. Among this number was Roger Hallam, co-founder of eco-activism group Extinction Rebellion.
Initially imposing a sentence of nine months which was reduced to six as a result of the guilty plea, the magistrate said that Goodey’s sentencing should be seen as a “deterrent” against further disruptive action.
Taking to Twitter, a spokesperson for Just Stop Oil commented on Goodey’s conviction. They said: “This shows that our government would rather lock up peaceful protesters than put an end to new oil and gas, which will put an end to everything we know and love.
“We will continue to do everything nonviolently possible to stop this horror. This is what Jan has done.”
