Hung jury in trial of Insulate Britain supporter Paul Sheeky

It came in the ninth trial relating to Insulate Britain’s 2021 campaign demanding that the Government insulate Britain’s cold and leaky homes.

Paul Sheeky, a project manager and screenwriter from Whitecross, was on trial with Giovanna Lewis, 65, a town councillor from Dorset, and Amy Pritchard, 37, a horticultural worker from London.

They were charged with causing a public nuisance in relation to the Insulate Britain roadblock at Bishopsgate in London on October 25, 2021.

After deliberating for approximately 12 hours, the jury at Inner London Crown Court revealed that they could not reach a majority decision and that more time would not help to achieve a result.

Judge Silas Reid dismissed the jury and the Crown Prosecution Service indicated that it would ask for a retrial. A decision will be made on that at a hearing on March 31.

Following the trial, Sheeky said: “Anyone hearing the full truth would understand the context of Insulate Britain’s actions, which are only taken to try and save lives.

“I never want to disrupt anyone, but in this case, it becomes necessary to get the truth out there”

Paul Sheeky is a climate change activist

Four other trials relating to the very same roadblock have already taken place.

In December, three defendants were acquitted of public nuisance charges, while so far this year, 12 defendants have been found guilty.

In the eight previous Insulate Britain jury trials for public nuisance charges, two trials so far have resulted in acquittals, four have resulted in a guilty verdict and two have been deferred.

Sheeky, also an activist in support of the Extinction Rebellion movements, is no stranger to the courts and controversial action.

As well as other charges of obstructing other highways, the 47-year-old, of Wellfield Street, previously spray painted graffiti on the windows of the Warrington Conservatives’ office

In March 2021, he was handed a 12-month discharge by Warrington magistrates for criminal damage after daubing messages including ‘Covid failure, climate failure’, ‘citizens assembly now’, ‘tell the truth’ and ‘power to the people’ across windows at the Wilderspool Causeway site.

The logo of climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion was also graffitied onto the front door.

Sheeky outside Warrington Conservatives office

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian in December 2021, he said: “Everything else has been tried.

“There have been people doing this for 30 years, signing all the petitions and going on marches, but they are not listened to and it has not made a difference.

“That is why we have to use non-violence and civil disobedience, and it is always non-violent.

“The way the Government is acting is just insane when you look at the science and what they are doing, and even what their own climate change committee says they should be doing, they are just not performing at all.”

He added: “Of course we do not want to be doing any of this stuff. It is really difficult actually as you want to let people past, but unless there is disruption, you are ignored.

“It will not get reported if you just hold a banner or something, so you have to do something disruptive to get the message out there.

“I am quite scared (about the prospect of prison), but I do not see any other choice as I have literally tried everything single thing else.”