[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-18788469

Protesters opposed to a gas extraction process called fracking halted test drilling when they invaded the site, Preston Magistrates Court has heard.

Three members of pressure group Frack Off attached themselves to a rig near Southport in November.

Barbara Anne Cookson, from Liverpool, Edward Lloyd-Davies and Lauren Pepperell, both from Brighton, deny charges including trespass and assault.

The trial of the campaigners is expected to last four days.

Ms Cookson, 61, of Garrick Street, is accused of aggravated trespass, assaulting a security guard and obstructing a person engaged in a lawful activity.

Mr Lloyd-Davies, 39, of Rugby Place, is also accused of the same charges, while Ms Pepperell, also of Rugby Place, is charged with trespass and obstruction.

The three were protesting at a site operated by Cuadrilla which was given a licence in 2008 to extract gas by pumping water, sand and chemicals into shale rock at pressure.

Frack Off alleges that the process is environmentally dangerous.

Security guard Patrick McKenna told the court he grabbed hold of Mr Lloyd-Davies who struck him with his arm, while Ms Cookson held on to his hand.

When he asked her why she was taking the action, he said she replied: "It is the principle."

The court was told only drilling to test rock samples was taking place at the Southport site.

Eric Vaughan, Cuadrilla's chief operating officer, said fracking was not a dangerous technology.

"Testing" has already caused TWO EARTHQUAKES in the Blackpool area this year !

[lostalex]

has anyone asked that the hedgehogs think???

[arista]

Yes Fracking is big business
As the amount of money you can get from Gas Sources
and sometimes in America and the UK
it appears thast at the time or after Fracking
the ground goes wrong.


The Best Fracking needs to be done
away from homes - maybe OK near the Gas CEO homes , though.

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-18876543

Anti-fracking protesters who halted test drilling by invading a site have been found guilty of trespass, assault and obstruction charges.

Three Frack Off group members attached themselves to a gas extraction rig near Southport, Merseyside, in November.

Edward Lloyd-Davies, 39, and Lauren Pepperell, 26, both of Brighton, were given two-year conditional discharges.

Barbara Cookson, 61, of Liverpool, received a 12 months conditional discharge.

During the trial, security guard Patrick McKenna told the court he grabbed hold of Lloyd-Davies who struck him with his arm, while Cookson held on to his hand.

Cookson and Lloyd-Davies were found guilty of aggravated trespass, assault by beating and obstructing a person engaged in a lawful activity.

Pepperell was found guilty of trespass and obstructing a person engaged in a lawful activity.

All three were ordered to pay £750 in court costs.

Activists get publicity, though - the issue of fracking needs to be kept on the front pages .....