Drax protesters 'not criminals'

The protesters were against the pollution caused by Drax

Environmental protesters who ambushed a coal train as it approached a power station have told a jury they believe they are not criminals.

Twenty-two people on trial at Leeds Crown Court deny obstructing a train carrying coal to Drax in Selby, North Yorkshire, in June 2008.

Louise Hemmerman, 31, of Hartley Avenue, Leeds, said she felt her home city was under threat from pollution.

She was halted as she talked about the dangers of carbon dioxide emissions.

The trial has heard that protesters boarded the train after it stopped for two men posing as railway staff.

The protesters then shovelled coal onto the tracks to stop the train moving.

When Ms Hemmerman said she wanted to tell the jury "a little more about river flooding", Judge James Spencer QC told her: "No. I know that it's important to you but it really is not part of the ambit of this case."

Appeal to jury

Ms Hemmerman said she took the action she did on the train because she had got nowhere with the usual protest routes.

She told the jury: "I've tried all these things and I got to the point where I thought the situation was so urgent my home city was under threat.

"I really had no choice. This is a necessity.

"I don't consider I'm criminal. This was not a flippant protest."

Another defendant, Jonathan Stevenson, 27, of Cadogan Terrace, London, told the jury: "I accept the judge is doing his job telling us what the law is. I also feel like a jury has the authority to decide whether what we did was right.

"I think that's what the critical issue is here. It's your job to decide on justice. We're here to appeal to you."

Mr Stevenson was repeatedly questioned by Richard Mansell QC, prosecuting, about whether he felt it was acceptable to break the law because he felt his cause was "good".

He told the QC: "I don't feel I'm guilty of a crime."

None of the protesters who have given evidence have denied taking part in the action.

The court was told 21 of the protesters had positioned themselves inside the front two coal hoppers and had locked themselves to each other.

One demonstrator had brought some climbing equipment and constructed a hammock beneath the girders of a bridge.

The trial continues.