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Verdict due in trial of Caroline Lucas over anti-fracking protests Verdict due in trial of Caroline Lucas over anti-fracking protests
(about 2 hours later)
Verdicts are due to be returned in the trial of Green party MP Caroline Lucas and four co-defendants who were arrested during an anti-fracking protest.Verdicts are due to be returned in the trial of Green party MP Caroline Lucas and four co-defendants who were arrested during an anti-fracking protest.
The Brighton Pavilion MP was arrested outside energy company Cuadrilla's exploratory oil drilling site in Balcombe, West Sussex, on 19 August.The Brighton Pavilion MP was arrested outside energy company Cuadrilla's exploratory oil drilling site in Balcombe, West Sussex, on 19 August.
She was among a group of protesters who had linked arms outside the site, which became a national focal point for anti-fracking protests last summer.She was among a group of protesters who had linked arms outside the site, which became a national focal point for anti-fracking protests last summer.
During the trial at Brighton magistrates court alongside her four co-defendants, Lucas said she "wanted to express solidarity" by protesting peacefully.During the trial at Brighton magistrates court alongside her four co-defendants, Lucas said she "wanted to express solidarity" by protesting peacefully.
The 53-year-old told the court that she felt it was important to protest about fracking to prevent the UK being locked into using more fossil fuels. Lucas, 53, the court that she felt it was important to protest about fracking to prevent the UK being locked into using more fossil fuels.
She said: "I'm haunted by the idea that my children and my children's children will turn round to me and say: 'What did you do about this overwhelming threat?'She said: "I'm haunted by the idea that my children and my children's children will turn round to me and say: 'What did you do about this overwhelming threat?'
"And I want to do all I can do peacefully to address that before it's too late.""And I want to do all I can do peacefully to address that before it's too late."
Lucas told the trial that governments were failing to urgently address the issues surrounding climate change.Lucas told the trial that governments were failing to urgently address the issues surrounding climate change.
She denies two charges – wilful obstruction of a public highway and breaching an order under section 14 of the Public Order Act.She denies two charges – wilful obstruction of a public highway and breaching an order under section 14 of the Public Order Act.
Josef Dobraszczyk, 22, from Bristol; Ruth Jarman, 50, from Hook, Hampshire; Sheila Menon, 42, from north-east London; and Ruth Potts, 39, from Totnes, Devon, also deny both charges. Josef Dobraszczyk, 22, from Bristol; Ruth Jarman, 50, from Hook, Hampshire; Sheila Menon, 42, from north-east London and Ruth Potts, 39, from Totnes, Devon, also deny both charges.
Jarman is expected to give evidence this morning. Jarman is expected to give evidence on Thursday morning.
District judge Tim Pattinson is due to return verdicts on all five defendants on Thursday afternoon. District judge Tim Pattinson is due to return verdicts on all five defendants in the afternoon.