Aberdeen man among six arrested after Formula One Silverstone circuit protest by Just Stop Oil

An Aberdeen man is among six activists who appeared in court after the track invasion at the F1 Silverstone Grand Prix on Sunday.

Protesters stormed the Wellington Straight, the fastest point of the track, before sitting down during the opening lap of the British Grand Prix.

The race had been suspended following Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu’s first-corner crash, but a number of drivers sped by the group as they returned to the pits before race marshals dragged them off the tarmac.

University student Alasdair Gibson, 21, from Aberdeen was among six people charged over the incident who appeared in court on Tuesday.

David Baldwin, 46, of Stonesfield, Witney, Oxfordshire; Emily Brocklebank, 23, of Yeadon, Leeds; Louis McKechnie, 21, of Manchester; Bethany Mogie, 40, of St Albans, Hertfordshire; and Joshua Smith, 28, of Manchester, were also all charged with conspiracy to cause public nuisance.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard that the protesters are said to have entered the track wearing orange tracksuits bearing the message ‘Just Stop Oil’.

A video of the alleged incident was played in court and no pleas were entered in relation to the incident.

Mr Gibson said in a statement through Just Stop Oil: “No one is exempt from the devastating consequences of climate change. It’s not a problem for tomorrow, it’s a threat we face today. It’s already here. Hundreds of millions of people across the world are exposed to drought and famine. Every region of the earth is exposed to extreme temperatures. We are living on borrowed time.

“Our government is failing to take the necessary steps to keep its citizen’s safe, which is why I believe that civil resistance is needed. Don’t be a bystander, get involved in the nonviolent fight for our future.”

Former primary school assistant and father-of-two Baldwin, mother-of-four Mogie, Brocklebank, who is unemployed, and university student Gibson, gave their details and were all granted conditional bail.

McKechnie, who has been expelled from university, admitted a breach of bail as a prior condition stated he could not attend a venue where a televised sporting event was taking place.

McKechnie and Smith were remanded in custody after confirming their names, ages and addresses.

They will appear next at Northampton Crown Court on August 19.