Eco-activist loses appeal over Heathrow drone conspiracy

THE co-founder of environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion has lost a Court of Appeal bid to have a conviction - for conspiring to close Heathrow by flying drones over the airport - quashed.

- CALLUM PARKE

Roger Hallam, from Carmarthen-shire, and Larch Maxey were convicted of conspiring to cause a public nuisance in 2023, but were spared immediate jail in April last year, instead being given two-year sentences, suspended for 18 months.

A trial at Isleworth Crown Court heard that they conspired with others on or before September 14, 2019, to close Heathrow to air traffic by the “unlawful flying” of drones within the transport hub’s flight restriction zone.

At a hearing in March, barristers for the pair challenged the convictions, saying their actions “did not necessarily amount to an offence”.

Lord Justice William Davis, Mr Justice Goss and Mr Justice Dexter Dias dismissed the appeal on Wednesday, April 16.

In their ruling, Lord Justice William Davis said that “none of the grounds of appeal provides any basis for overturning the convictions” and that the jury's verdicts “cannot be impugned”.

The trial heard that the plan to disrupt the airport was developed under the banner of Heathrow Pause.