Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. HOME News Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Comment Finance Travel Entertainment Life & Style UK Politics Royal US World Science Weather Weird History Nature Sunday InYourArea The protester reportedly requested that she could fly the 9,000-mile round trip before her trial. 21:57, Sat, Nov 4, 2023 | UPDATED: 22:32, Sat, Nov 4, 2023
Just Stop Oil: Protesters disrupt performance of Les MisérablesA judge laid into a Just Stop Oil protester who requested her trial be delayed so that she could travel to India.
Lydia Gribbin, 28, appeared in court yesterday after being charged for storming a West End production of Les Miserables.
Ms Gribbin asked for the court proceedings to be postponed in order to fly to the south Asian country.
District Judge Michael Snow told her: “I am afraid I am not going to wait for you to get back from India.
“If you have to miss out on things, you have to miss out on things.”
The Just Stop Oil protesters interrupted the show halfway through (Image: X)
Ms Gribbin was appearing in court alongside Hannah Taylor, 23, Hanan Ameur, 22, Noah Crane, 18, and Poppy Bliss, 19.
They had halted the classic musical on October 5 at London’s Sondheim Theatre by running onto the stage mid-performance, and unfurled an orange banner.
The protesters then locked themselves to the stage, and the safety curtain was brought down at around 9pm.
The protesters have pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated trespass.
Lydia Gribbins (far right) with the other protesters who stormed the stage (Image: PA)
The court heard that the theatre lost roughly £80,000 as a result, predominantly through ticket refunds.
They could be forced to pay back the full amount if they are found guilty, the judge said.
The five Just Stop Oil members accepted to the court that they were protesters and were at the musical.
However, they claimed the theatre “reasonably consented” to the protest.
They had not taken any legal advice before appearing in court.
They were warned by the judge not to use that defence, as there was direct evidence to suggest otherwise.
Their trial will take place at the City of London magistrates’ court on February 5, 2024.
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