Four activists from Just Stop Oil found guilty of planning to use bolt-cutters to break into Manchester Airport and secure themselves to the runway

Four Just Stop Oil activists have been found guilty of plotting to break into Manchester Airport.

The group consisted of Indigo Rumbelow, aged 30, Ella Ward, aged 22, Margaret Reid, aged 54, and Daniel Knorr, aged 23. Their plan involved cutting through metal fencing at the southern part of the airport and attaching themselves to the runway.

Their goal was to disrupt airport activity and gain media attention.

On August 5, 2024, they were arrested by officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operations Branch.

Upon discovery, they were in possession of tools such as heavy-duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, adhesive, sand, high-visibility vests from Just Stop Oil, and a pamphlet containing guidelines for dealing with law enforcement.

Additionally, Ms. Ward carried a handwritten note explaining the group’s objective: accessing the Manchester Airport airfield and then notifying the authorities about their presence.

Natalie Mackenzie, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: ‘This was a planned and targeted attack against one of the country’s busiest airports which could have caused significant disruption.

‘Their plan displayed a clear disregard for members of the public using the airport at the height of summer.

(Left to right) Indigo Rumbelow, 30, Margaret Reid, 54, Ella Ward, 22, and Daniel Knorr, 23, were found guilty of plotting to break into Manchester Airport 

(Left to right) Indigo Rumbelow, Ella Ward, Margaret Reid and Daniel Knorr, were found guilty, Noah Crane was acquitted

After a two-week trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, Knorr, Ward, Rumbelow and Reid were convicted of causing a public nuisance

‘The right to protest is important but it must be balanced against the rights of other citizens to go about their daily business.’

After a two-week trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, Knorr, Ward, Rumbelow and Reid were convicted of causing a public nuisance.

Mr Knorr, from Oxford, said: ‘In the second week of trial Judge MacAdam sought clarification from me, asking “If you knew a disaster was going to happen you would take steps to warn people wouldn’t you?”

‘Wasn’t that exactly what I was trying to do? The British legal system knows the stark reality we face and seemingly understands the commonsense response to such reality. 

‘Yet again and again it is those seeking to stop the harm who end up in the dock and those profiting from destruction who are protected.’

Noah Crane, 19, who was not with the group, was alleged to have previously bought four phones which would to be used to ‘live stream’ the protest

On August 5, 2024, the group were arrested by officers from Greater Manchester Police ‘s Specialist Operations Branch

Mr Knorr, from Oxford, said: ‘Yet again and again it is those seeking to stop the harm who end up in the dock and those profiting from destruction who are protected.’

The group were found with heavy duty bolt cutters, angle grinders, glue, sand, Just Stop Oil high visibility vests and a leaflet containing instructions to follow when interacting with police

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: ‘Yet again our courts have demonstrated that they are out of step with what is happening in the real world. A world of increased heating, panicking scientists and oblivious politicians.

‘We risk ruin and judges and legal experts discuss the finer points of necessity and reasonableness. None of this is reasonable.

‘All those who took part in the prosecution of Just Stop Oil supporters deserve our sympathy, the guilt that they experience due to the collapse of our living world will stay with them for the rest of their lives.’

Noah Crane, 19, who was not with the group, was alleged to have previously bought four phones which would be used to ‘live stream’ the protest.

He was arrested on August 5, 2024, at his home in Birmingham but was later acquitted.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: ‘Yet again our courts have demonstrated that they are out of step with what is happening in the real world.’

Noah Crane, 19, was arrested on August 5, 2024, at his home in Birmingham but was later acquitted

Following their arrest, the rental property they were staying in Gatley was searched and Ms Knorr’s provisional driving license was found

During the trial Ms Rumbelow and Ms Reid represented themselves and Ms Ward fired her barrister during the second week of the three week trial.

Noah Crane and Daniel Knorr had legal representation.

Superintendent Helen Caldbeck, GMP operational commander for Manchester Airport said: ‘We have been working closely with Manchester Airport colleagues and police forces across the country, sharing intelligence, with the common goal to prevent these disruptive and targeted attacks on our airports.

‘This group had gone to significant trouble and expense in the preparation of the intended action that morning. 

‘If they had gained access to the airfield, not only would they have placed themselves in extreme danger, but they would have caused untold disruption to travellers and holiday makers.

Ms Ward also had a handwritten note detailing the motive of the group; to enter the Manchester Airport airfield and then contact the police to alert them of their activity

During the trial Ms Rumbelow and Ms Reid represented themselves and MsWard fired her barrister during the second week of the three week trial

A statement submitted on behalf of the defendants said: ‘The acquittal of Noah Crane calls into question the six months he was forced to serve on remand at the age of 18’

‘Anyone who disrupts the safety and security of an airport can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly, and following a meticulous investigation, we welcome these verdicts today.’

Following their arrest, the rental property they were staying in Gatley was searched and Ms Knorr’s provisional driving license was found.

A statement submitted on behalf of the defendants said: ‘We thank the jury for their service and accept their decision. 

‘The acquittal of Noah Crane calls into question the six months he was forced to serve on remand at the age of 18. 

‘Physics doesn’t care if we were acquitted or not – all that matters now is how hot our world gets and how quickly. The unfolding horror of climate collapse is the future that awaits us, our children and our children’s children.’

Rad Taylor, Director of Aerodrome Operations at Manchester Airport, said: ‘The safety and security of our passengers is always our number one concern.

‘What these individuals were planning would not only have caused significant disruption for tens of thousands of passengers, but also a significant safety risk. The potential consequences of that do not bear thinking about.’

Natalie Mackenzie, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: ‘This was a planned and targeted attack against one of the country’s busiest airports which could have caused significant disruption’

Rad Taylor, Director of Aerodrome Operations at Manchester Airport, said: ‘The safety and security of our passengers is always our number one concern’

A statement submitted on behalf of the defendants said: ‘We thank the jury for their service and accept their decision’