06 Dec Extinction Rebellion protestor unable to hear instructions to move from Waterloo Bridge has case dismissed
An Extinction Rebellion protestor arrested on Waterloo Bridge has had the charges against him dismissed. A Judge ruled that during the noisy protest, Daniel Morelli may not have heard instructions from the police to move.
38-year-old Mr. Morelli from Bridport, Dorset pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaching Section 14 of the Public Act Order 1986 and obstructing the highway.
With his hair tied in a bun, wearing a white creased shirt and a beaded necklace, the protester entered the City of London Magistrates’ Court. The prosecution told the court that protesters took over Waterloo Bridge on the 15th of April 2019.
Chief Inspector Duncan McMillan, who was the officer in charge of the area, explained “There was serious disruption being caused…half a million people being affected”.
Police Constable Jason Sanders, one of the PCs at the location, told the court he had asked Mr. Morelli to move from the bridge and to Marble Arch. Mr. Morelli failed to comply, and he was carried off the bridge by three Officers and arrested.
The defence lawyer, Marie Anne Clark asked PC Sanders “With the body worn footage, we see that it was very loud. How do you know Mr. Morelli heard you properly?”
“I’m not sure, it was loud, but he had an officer next to him” PC Sanders responded. Mr. Morelli stared directly at him and grinned.
Reaching his verdict Judge Booty said, “I cannot find, nor any tribunal could ever find, if Mr. Morelli could hear, or knew what was being asked of him by police. Therefore, this case is dismissed, and any bail money doesn’t need to be paid.”
