A BRIGHTON activist has pleaded not guilty to a public nuisance charge after joining climate campaigners in blocking Junction 1B of the M25 last year.
Alexander Rodger, 32, of Ditchling Road, Brighton, was one of a group of protestors to appear before His Honour Judge Stephen Mooney at Lewes Crown Court on May 10.
They are charged with causing a nuisance to the public on September 15, 2021, by obstructing the highway which obstructed the public from exercising their right of free passage along the highway.
The climate campaigners are among the first group of Insulate Britain protesters to appear before the courts.
Judge Mooney released Rodger on unconditional bail ahead of a jury trial on July 3, 2023.
Other protestors who appeared in court on May 10 and pleaded not guilty to the same charge included Biff Whipster, 54, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury; Janine Eagling, 61, of Tower Hamlets Road, London; David Crawford, 68, of Falkland Road, Dorking; Gabriella Ditton, 28, of Silver Road, Norwich; Nicholas Onley, 59, of Richmond Road, London, and Michael Wiley, 75, of Park House, Alburgh Road, Shelton, Norfolk.
They were all granted unconditional bail.
A warrant without bail was issued against Rob Stuart, 40, of Chingford Road, Walthamstow, London, after he failed to attend court.
Wiley will be tried at crown court on August 7, 2023, while Crawford, Ditton and Eagling will be tried on October 2, 2023, and Onley and Whipster will face a jury on December 4 next year.
The defendants face up to six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine if convicted.
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