NSW premier describes jailing of climate activist Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco as ‘pleasing to see’

Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco was sentenced to at least eight months in jail for blocking a lane of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which NSW premier Dominic Perrottet says is ‘not excessive’. Photograph: Carly Earl/The Guardian

The New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, has described the sentencing of environmental protester Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco to a minimum of eight months’ jail as “pleasing to see”, despite strong criticisms by human rights advocates and a UN official.

Coco was on Friday sentenced to 15 months in prison, with a non-parole period of eight months, after she blocked a lane of traffic on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in April.