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BRING IT ON
A DEFIANT mum hauled to court after she allegedly nudged Insulate Britain activists with her Range Rover said today: "I stand by it".
Sherrilyn Speid, 34, is accused of rolling the 4x4 into eco-warriors sitting in the road while she was on the school run with her son.
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She was charged last month over the October incident, but today pleaded not guilty to assault and dangerous driving at Basildon Magistrates' Court.
The mum, from Grays in Essex, has now stood by her decision to go to trial, telling The Sun: "I'm still in shock really that it has gone this far.
"I stand by what I said and what I did - I don't think it is right to stop children going to school.
"Obviously I could have handled it better, but I can't take it back. But I did not hurt anyone - no one was injured and needed medical treatment."I am going to fight this - I feel strong and ready for the trial.
"I am not a bad person and I didn't go out of my way to hurt anyone - I just wanted to take my son to school and go to work."
Footage appeared to show the mum driving her £80,000 SUV into activist Bethany Mogie, 39, while trying to get her 11-year-old son to school.
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Serial demonstrator Mogie faces no action, despite breaching a government injunction.
Speid revealed today both Insulate Britain and Mogie no longer support the prosecution but claimed police are still pressing ahead due to the footage.
She added: "I think it's good that Insulate Britain is no longer supporting the prosecution - but it's disgusting that the police are trying to take me all the way when there is no one else that wants me punished for this.
"It doesn't make any sense. If this doesn't go in my favour I could lose my licence and my whole livelihood. Why would the police want that for a single mum?"
Speid is accused of assault and dangerous driving and could be jailed for six months or given an unlimited fine.
She was granted unconditional bail ahead of her next hearing in March at the same court.
INSULATE BRITAIN 'STAND WITH SHERRILYN'
In a statement, Insulate Britain said they "stand with Sherrilyn" and called for the charges against the mum to be dropped.
It read: "Insulate Britain is calling on the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the charges against Sherrilyn Speid.
"Essex Police were informed on 21st October that supporters of Insulate Britain would not aid them with their investigation.
"Insulate Britain can see no benefit to anyone in prosecuting Sherrilyn.
Sherrilyn's prosecution is yet another example of the state acting against our interests, a single mother is caught up in the frustration and delay caused by our government's treasonous inaction and then she is prosecuted for it, potentially fined.
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We stand with Sherrilyn, we stand with those facing the cost of living crisis.
"We call on the government to insulate our homes to protect us the families of Britain from unprecedented fuel hikes, the millions of households who must make the choice between eating or heating right now."
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