We acted for a number of persons who were arrested in the protest at Trebanos in South Wales against the construction of the Gas Pipeline.

At the end of 2005 consent was granted for the construction of a major pipeline to carry gas from Milford Haven in South West Wales , and eventually the plan is to carry gas as far as Gloucestershire, and supply 20% of the UK gas needs.

There have been a number of protests against this project, and since November 2006 there have been demonstrations at a particular site near Pontardawe known as Trebanos.Some of these protests have led to delays in the construction work of the pipeline.

On 31st January 2007 the police arrested five protesters who were picnicking on an area within the construction site, but on a public footpath. They were warned to leave by the police and then arrested for aggravated trespass.They were later charged and bailed to Neath Magistrates Court with strict bail conditions.

The first hearing was on the 5th of February 2007, when not guilty pleas were entered.  The Trebanos five later appeared at Neath Magistrates’ Court on the 25th of May 2007 when they pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 68 of the C.J.P.O. 1994. The prosecution offered no evidence on the charge under Section 69, which was dismissed. The Judge accepted that they all had genuine concerns about the pipeline and gave them a Conditional Discharge for 6 months, together with £150 prosecution costs. There was an opportunity after court to speak to the news reporters and give further details of their concerns for the environment and the dangers of the pipeline.

See the following link to the BBC website article