Grand National protesters who blocked motorway fined

Four women and three men were found guilty of wilful obstruction of a highway

A group of protesters have been fined for blocking a motorway close to Aintree racecourse before the 2023 Grand National.

Activists from Animal Rising sat on the road at Junction 2 of the M57 on 15 April 2023, causing tailbacks.

The protest was part of wider action that caused the race to be delayed for about 15 minutes.

Speaking after sentencing, Det Ch Insp Ben Dyer said Merseyside Police respected the right to a peaceful protest but criminal disorder "would not be be tolerated."

Four women and three men were found guilty of wilful obstruction of a highway following a trial at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.

Lucia Alexander, 40, of Halle Lane in Wacton, Norfolk; Zoe Able, 28, of Leeders Pightle, Norfolk; Andrew Houghton, 67, of Mendip Crescent, Bedford, Tobias Brown, 49, of West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe; Sarah Love, 47, of no fixed address; and Jamie Carter, 29, of no fixed address, were fined between £180 and £300 each ordered to pay costs.

Eleanor Kenny, 19, of no fixed address, was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs.

The event saw widespread protests by Animal Rising activists

Det Ch Insp Dyer said said the seven had "relied heavily on their right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights during their court hearing".

"However, they have now all been found guilty," he said.​

He said the force would always act when the "expression of views... crosses into criminal behaviour and disorder".

"Such actions put those protesting and other road users at huge risk.

"Peaceful protest has its place in society, but that place is not in the middle of a motorway."

The convictions followed those earlier in the month of Rosa Sharkey and James Kelly, who were found guilty of obstructing Wango Lane near Aintree on the day of the race.