Nine accused of trouble at fracking site

Nine people have gone on trial charged with offences during an anti-fracking protest on Preston New Road.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jan 2018, 09:44 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2018, 09:45 BST
The fracking site on Preston New RoadThe fracking site on Preston New Road
The fracking site on Preston New Road

The nine were arrested after taking part in a protest against fracking firm Cuadrilla.

Their cases are being heard by District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates Court and the hrearing is expected to last up to three days.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The nine are alleged to have disrupted traffic outside the site. The defendants are: Liz Beck, 55, of Preston New Road, Blackpool; Jonathan Black, 23, of Bognor Regis; Barbara Cookson, 67, of Lawrence Grove, Liverpool; David Eaton, 44, of Whitehills Road, Blackpool; Catherine Jackson, 49, of Mowbray Road, Fleetwood; John Knox, 31, of no fixed address; Alan Mitchell, 45, of Squires Gate Lane, South Shore; Mark Taylor, 43, of no fixed address and Lee Walsh, 43, of no fixed address.

They are all charged with alleged offences on June 6 last year at Litttle Plumpton of wilfully obstructing the A583 outside the gas exploration site and with offences under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act of depriving a a person of the ability to work.

(Proceeding)