Amelia Halls was convicted in April for wilful obstruction of the public highway at the City of London Magistrates Court, after protesting in October 2019 on Hartmann Road, near London City Airport. She appealed on the basis Hartmann Road is a private road, no obstruction actually took place, she had an Arts 10 and 11 right to protest, and on the recent decision in DPP v Ziegler [2021] UKSC 23, , [2021] All ER (D) 70 (Jun).
The DPP did not contest the appeal, confirming they would withdraw in light of Ziegler as well as insufficient evidence. A judge at the Old Bailey quashed her conviction and suggested the Crown Prosecution Service consider whether other convictions are safe.
Hall’s solicitor, Adeela Khan, partner at Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson, said: ‘It was never in the public interest for the CPS to prosecute 1000s of Extinction Rebellion peaceful protesters.’
