Yes. Really it does. I’m not kidding here.
A government adviser on transport has been fined for his part in the Extinction Rebellion protests which brought parts of London to a standstill.
Dr Steven Melia, 57, broke down as he told a court that his actions were a justified response to a ‘catastrophic’ climate emergency.
The academic, a senior lecturer at the University of the West of England in Bristol, has previously advised the UK Government on eco-towns.
He was found guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday of two counts of failing to comply with a condition to disperse protesters.
Oh, okay… Bwhahahahahahah!
Melia was among thousands of people who demonstrated across the capital in April, when a camp was set up on Waterloo Bridge, and Oxford Circus was blockaded with a pink boat.
District Judge Richard Blake fined Melia, of Ferrymans Court, St Philips, Bristol, £500 and told him to pay £300 in costs.
‘I’m satisfied that there was an opportunity for freedom of expression without the commission of these offences,’ he said.
Sanctimonious tosspot got exactly what he deserved. Can’t do the time? Don’t do the crime. So, yeah, my heart bleeds.
Climate Emergency eh? What a load of bollocks!
Fined? Is that all? He should have got the fucking sack…
Presumably having previously advised the government doesn’t mean that he has a permanant job doing it. This particular incident might mean that they don’t ask him to advise them next time.
Oh Dear. How Sad. Never Mind.
That was my response.
Millions of pounds of GDP lost and thousands inconvenienced – 500 pounds is a pittance and why is it only this guy being fined. Any ER protestor should be subject to asset seizures or given the choice of heading to a ‘non- capitalist’ jurisdiction of their choice – let’s see how many want to head to Venezuela or suchlike – this can then be extended to Corbinites, Greens And SNP members – leading to a huge increase in overall GDP as productive people are incentivised while non- productive are penalised…
I read in Tim Worstall’s blog that, since this nong was found guilty, businesses affected by his actions can pursue him in civil court. This would be splendid.
I hope they do. These people need to learn that actions have consequences.
“Splendid” is a word that needs to be used more often.