Extinction Rebellion trial plunges into chaos as defendant glues hand to court table
A TRIAL of Extinction Rebellion protesters was plunged into chaos after a defendant glued his hand to a court table.
Liam Norton, 36, ranted from the dock the proceedings were “illegal” and then revealed what he had done.
Security staff moved in against a backdrop of cheers from XR supporters, with Norton yelling: “I am left with no option but to disobey and show contempt.”
The stunt set the case — against activists for blockading The Sun’s printing plant near Broxbourne, Herts — back for three hours while Norton’s hand was freed at St Albans magistrates’ court.
The delay cost taxpayers thousands of pounds in wasted court time and staff pay.
Norton, from Scarborough, North Yorks, had confronted District Judge Sally Fudge, claiming: “What is going on in this court is complete criminality.
“What you are doing is illegal.”
Last September’s protest saw an estimated 3.5 million copies of newspapers from reaching readers — as the Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph and The Times are also printed at the centre.
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Some 51 people were charged with obstructing the highway, using huge bamboo structures.
Norton denied the charges yesterday along with Sally Davidson, 33, from Streatham, South West London, James Ozden, 35, from Tottenham, North London, Tim Speers, 25, from Waltham Forest, North London, Morgan Trowland, 38, of Hackney, North London, and Eleanor Bujak, 28, of Finsbury Park, North London.
The trial continues.