header-logo header-logo

Aggravated trespass: Keep off the grass

07 October 2022 / Neil Parpworth
Issue: 7997 / Categories: Features , Criminal , Health & safety , Public
printer mail-detail
96618
Pitch invaders beware: Neil Parpworth examines the aggravated trespass offence on the field of play
  • Under s 68(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, aggravated trespass occurs where the trespasser impacts upon any lawful activity underway on the land in question, including through intimidation, obstruction or disruption.
  • A recent case which saw a YouTube prankster enter the pitch during a test match at The Oval cricket ground was found to fall squarely within the scope of a s 68(1) offence, with the claim that it was done for entertainment purposes proving no defence.

While we ordinarily think of trespass as being a civil law matter, under s 68(1) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA 1994) it is a summary offence to trespass on land. The ‘aggravated’ nature of the offence, as determined by the intervention of Parliament, relates to its impact on a lawful activity which is being engaged in on the land at the time that the trespass occurs.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll