Four charged after Clacket Lane and Cobham services protests

Nathan McGovern, 22, of White Horse Lane, Tower Hamlets, London, Amber Alexander, 18, of Withdean Court, Brighton, Louis Hawkins, 22, of Dewe Road, Brighton and Rosa Sharkey, 22 of Dewe Road, Brighton have been charged with causing criminal damage of over £5000.

They appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon (29 April) and were released on police bail with conditions imposed by the court. 

A further four people have been released under police bail and an additional 27 are still under investigation.

Officers were called to both service stations just after 7am on Thursday, 28 April following reports that a large number of protesters were at the sites and were gluing themselves to the pumps, to forecourt signs and to vehicles. They were also blocking access and stopping motorists from using the pumps.

Significant damage was caused to the pumps on both forecourts, with a total of 35 pumps damaged at Cobham Services, and a further 20 pumps damaged at Clacket Lane. The HGV pumps at both sites were not targeted and remain open.

Superintendent Graham Barnett said: “Around 40 officers were involved following the activity by protest group Just Stop Oil at Cobham and Clacket Lane Services this week. 

“While we are required to facilitate peaceful protest, we will always take action against those who break the law and significantly impact on the lives and livelihoods of others.”

Bail conditions for the four charged are as follows: 

Nathan McGovern has the following bail conditions and will be required to wear an electronic tag. He will not be able to to enter the county of Surrey save for Court attendance, not to enter any petrol station or obstruct the entrance or exit to any part of a petrol station in England and Wales, not to affix themselves to any part of a petrol station or petrol tanker, not to associate with Louis Hawkins, Rosa Sharkey or Amber Alexander save for pre-arranged solicitor appointments or at Court and to live and sleep each night at White Horse Lane, Tower Hamlets, London. 

Amber Alexander will not be able to enter the county of Surrey save for Court attendance, not to enter any petrol station or obstruct the entrance or exit of any petrol station in England and Wales, not to affix themselves to any part of a petrol station or petrol tanker, not to associate with Rosa Sharkey, Nathan McGovern or Louis Hawkins save for pre-arranged solicitor appointments or at Court and to live and sleep each night at Withdean Court, Brighton. 

Louis Hawkins will not be able to enter the county of Surrey save for Court attendance, not to enter any petrol station or obstruct the entrance or exit of any petrol station in England and Wales, not to affix themselves to any part of a petrol station or petrol tanker, not to associate with Nathan McGovern, or Amber Alexander save for pre-arranged solicitor appointments or at Court and to live and sleep each night at Dewe Road, Brighton. 

Rosa Sharkey will not be able to enter the county of Surrey save for Court attendance, not to enter any petrol station or obstruct the entrance or exit of any petrol station in England and Wales, not to affix themselves to any part of a petrol station or petrol tanker, not to associate with Nathan McGovern or Amber Alexander save for pre-arranged solicitor appointments or at Court and to live and sleep each night at Dewe Road, Brighton.