A GROUP of people have been sentenced after a blocking a roundabout underneath the M25, which an Essex police investigation found had an economic impact of at least £118,000.

The group of 10 blocked a key junction close to junction M31 of the M25, at the A282, early on September 13, 2021 – having knock-on impacts on the M25, A13, A282 and the A20.

In total, the Essex Police investigation was able to show a total estimated economic impact of at least £118,000 and about 6,500 hours lost in delays to the thousands of motorists inconvenienced.

The demonstration was part of Insulate Britain, a campaign "to force the government to make significant legislative change to end fuel poverty". 

Three of the group admitted the offence of causing a public nuisance.

While seven of the group denied the offence, but were found guilty on March 7, after a three-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

Echo: Demonstrations - Insulate Britain blocking roads as part of their demonstrationDemonstrations - Insulate Britain blocking roads as part of their demonstration (Image: PA)

Detective Sergeant Chris Arnold, who led the investigation, said: “These individuals did not need to get criminal records.

“Their actions inconvenienced thousands of people and took up valuable police time - time which would have been better spent catching criminals causing harm in our communities.

DS Arnold added: “We know that the right to protest is enshrined in law, and policing will always seek to facilitate it".
"But what happened in September 2021 was not legal, it was criminal disruption which severely impacted many people.”

Nine of the group appeared for sentencing on April 19 with the following sentences:

  • Biff Whipster, 56, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours of unpaid work and £500 in costs.
  • Nicholas Till, 68, of Rheidol Terrace, London, N1 was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work and £1,500 in costs.
  • Nicholas Onley, 61, of Richmond Road, London, N15 was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with £250 in costs.
  • Rob Stuart, 42, Chingford Road, London, E17 was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs.
  • Louise Lancaster, 58, of High Street, Barton, Cambridge was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 100 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs.
  • Janine Eagling, 63, of Tower Hamlets Road, London, E17 was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 60 hours of unpaid work and £1,000 costs.
  • David Crawford, 70, of Falkland Road, Dorking was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 40 hours of unpaid work and £1,500 costs.


Those convicted after earlier admitting the offence, were sentenced as following:

  • Stefania Morosi, 46, of Hessel Road, London, W13 was sentenced to 13 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with £100 costs.
  • Gabriella Ditton, 30, of Silver Road, Norwich was sentenced to 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 80 hours of unpaid work and £800 costs.
  • To be sentenced at a later date - Tim Speers, 38, of Princes Avenue, Hull