The former Vicar of Rochdale was jailed after taking part in a blockade of an oil terminal. The Rev Mark Coleman was one of 56 Just Stop Oil protesters who were sent to prison after refusing to comply with court proceedings.
They were arrested after breaking an injunction by blockading the Kingsbury oil terminal in Warwickshire. When the protesters, including Mr Coleman, 63, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court and the Royal Courts of Justice in London, they refused to comply with court proceedings.
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Some turned their backs on the judge, while others stood on chairs or read out statements. Mr Coleman was remanded to HMP Birmingham where he spent seven days in jail for contempt of court.
He says he was later sentenced to 23 days in prison suspended for two years and ordered to pay £412.26 costs totalling £412.26 for breaking the injunction at the protest on September 14. Speaking following his release Mr Coleman said: "I did this because I know life is a precious gift. I want my children and grandchild to be able to have a future.
"I want this for everyone. The government's plans for new gas and oil projects will drive us to disaster."
A spokesperson for the Just Stop Oil coalition said: "Last week 56 supporters of our campaign were being held in prisons around the country. This is unprecedented in the UK's recent history.
"This year we have experienced the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK, uncontrollable wildfires and water shortages, whilst our government continues to approve new oil and gas projects in the UK.
"If the government won't stop the genocidal death project that is new oil and gas, then ordinary people have no other choice but to stop it themselves, to protect the lives of their families, their communities and everything they hold dear."
In September last year Mr Coleman, who retired from the clergy in 2020 due to ill health, was among dozens of environmental activists who staged a roadblock on the M25. In April this year he was cleared of criminal damage after being accused of vandalising Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson's constituency office by spraying it with graffiti calling for action on climate change.
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