‘Drax 15’ acquitted as ‘being equipped for locking on’ trial collapses

24 September 2025

Protestors outside Leeds Magistrates Court yesterday (23 September 2025) in support of the 'Drax 15'. Credit: Reclaim the Power.

Protesters outside Leeds Magistrates Court yesterday (23 September 2025) in support of the ‘Drax 15’. Credit: Reclaim the Power.

Yesterday (23 September 2025), Garden Court North’s Alexander McColl secured acquittals for his three clients in one of the first trials for the new offence of ‘Being Equipped for Locking On’ in the UK.

In August 2024, the defendants were arrested on their way to a peaceful protest camp organised by the group ‘Reclaim the Power’, which campaigns against the Drax power station, the largest in the UK. In total, 24 protesters were arrested as part of a massive police operation costing a reported £3 million, out of which there have been no convictions despite numerous arrests. At Leeds Magistrates’ Court this week, 15 of the protesters were charged for having items including a 5ml tube of superglue, gaffer tape, bolt cutters, and poles for setting up a marquee.

As quoted by the BBC, Alexander told the court there was “simply insufficient or no evidence that these items were for use in anything other than a legitimate protest camp”.

Garden Court North’s Alexander McColl.

Through cross-examination of the police and a submission of no case to answer, Alexander and the other advocates were able to show that there was no evidence that any of the items would be used to commit an offence. At the end of the legal arguments, the prosecution chose to offer no evidence rather than allow the trial to proceed to a verdict, and the case was dismissed by the judge.

The controversial new offence of ‘locking on’ was introduced by the Public Order Act 2023. It criminalises the possession of any object with an intention that they may be used in connection with an unlawful lock on. Critics have warned that the wording of the act is so broad that it can easily criminalise those who are simply attending a protest.

Alexander was instructed by Robert Lizars Solicitors and appeared alongside Nicola Hall and Simon Pook of Robert Lizars, Laura O’Brien of Hodge Jones & Allen, and Richard Pinto of Ison Harrison.

Additional media

BBC – Activists cleared of charges over planned protest

Novara Media – Police Spent £3m Arresting Climate Activists During Far-Right Riots

Liberty – Public Order Act: New Protest Offences & ‘Serious Disruption’

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk