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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Diane Taylor

Activists who occupied 100ft HS2 drilling rig convicted over protest

James Brown, right, and a fellow climate activist take over drilling machinery in the Colne Valley park, Hillingdon, in February 2020.
James Brown, right, and a fellow climate activist take over drilling machinery in the Colne Valley park, Hillingdon, in February 2020. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

Two environmental activists have been convicted of charges relating to a protest against HS2 after occupying a 100ft-high drilling rig to highlight damage they claimed the rail project was causing to London’s drinking water supply.

James Brown, 57, a partially sighted former Paralympics cycling champion, and James Ruggles, 25, appeared at Uxbridge magistrates court charged with criminal damage and aggravated trespass after a protest in February 2020 when they climbed on to drilling machinery in the Colne Valley, Hillingdon.

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