Shard Conqueror Appears In Court After Arrest For Greenpeace Protest

A Greenpeace protester, who climbed the 310 metre high Shard building - Western Europe's tallest structure -  appeared in court for the first time yesterday charged with obstruction.

Alison Garrigan, 27, (pictured) of Hamilton Road, Manchester was part of a six-strong team of environmental activists who were arrested after scaling the building in protest at arctic drilling by Shell.

They accessed The Shard in the early hours of July 11 via the roof of London Bridge Station and reached the top at around 3pm.

The Nottingham native is the only one of the six to be charged after the Crown Prosecution Service considered Southwark Police reports, but now a caution is being considered, which would be consistent with her fellow-protestors.

Garrigan appeared with two supporters at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court charged with obstructing or disrupting a person engaged in a lawful activity and did not enter a plea.

Prosecutor Miss Cara Pickering said: "The defence wrote to us about a possible caution. There were five other people involved in this case who have been cautioned."

She asked for time for the reviewing lawyer to consider the case. "There are considerable representations made by the defence."

Garrigan was bailed until September 16 on the condition that she does not involve herself in climbing protests.

A condition that she not be in possession of any climbing equipment outside a climbing wall other than in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria was dropped.

District Judge Mr. Richard Blake announced: "If other persons were cautioned I can understand why this lady would want the same.

"I can understand the wisdom of the lawyer making a decision in the other cases to consider this.

"It is regrettable this case can't proceed today. I'm told there are compelling reasons why. I am persuaded, just, that a further delay is in the interests of justice.

"This application is by the defence, but supported by the crown."

Bailing Garrigan he told her: "You can have the freedom to have your climbing equipment, but you must not be involved in any climbing protest."