Power station protesters on trial

Twenty-two people have gone on trial charged with obstructing a railway engine during a protest at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire.

Protesters boarded the train, carrying coal into the station in June 2008, after it stopped for two men posing as railway staff, Leeds Crown Court heard.

The protesters, including three from West Yorkshire, shovelled coal onto the tracks to stop the train moving.

The defendants were protesting against pollution at the station in Selby.

Prosecuting, Richard Mansell QC, told jurors the defendants, who are representing themselves, will "seek to play on your emotions and sympathies with their cause".

He added: "The Crown says that this is a misuse of the court process to continue the protest action which the 22 and seven others started when they boarded that train just over a year ago last summer."

The court heard how clearing the rail lines after the protest cost Network Rail more than £30,000.

The defendants deny the charges.

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