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Former Paralympian to Appeal XR Protest Jail Sentence

Extinction Rebellion: Former Paralympian sentenced to 12 months jail following protest on top of plane

James Brown, 56, has been sentenced to 12-months imprisonment, following a protest he staged on the roof of plane at London City Airport during Extinction Rebellion protests in October 2019.

Mr Brown is visually impaired and a former Paralympian who represented Great Britain in cycling and athletics before competing for Ireland in cross-country skiing. He is a father of four, and now runs a charity.

Before boarding the flight bound for Amsterdam, Mr Brown climbed onto the roof of the British Airways plane and superglued his right hand to it, in order “to do something spectacular” to draw attention to the climate crisis, he said during the trial at Southwark Crown Court .

After a jury deliberated for less than an hour, he was found guilty of public nuisance in July 2021. The sentencing today comes as a great shock.

Commenting on the sentencing, his lawyer and head of the Criminal Defence department at Hodge Jones & Allen, Raj Chada said:

“We are shocked that James has been sentenced to 12 months prison. James, registered blind and a gold winning paralymian at 5 games should not be in prison for taking part in this protest. This a dangerous judgment for our right to free speech, our right to protest and for those who campaign on environmental issues”

Mr Brown and his legal team will be appealing the sentence.

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