Environmental protesters who ambushed a coal train as it approached a power station have told a jury they believe they are not criminals. Twenty-two people on trial at Leeds Crown Court deny obstructing a train carrying coal to Drax in Selby, North Yorkshire, in June 2008. Louise Hemmerman, 31, of Hartley Avenue, Leeds, said she felt her home city was under threat from pollution. She was halted as she talked about the dangers of carbon dioxide emissions. The trial has heard that protesters boarded the train after it stopped for two men posing as railway staff. The protesters then shovelled coal onto the tracks to stop the train moving. When Ms Hemmerman said she wanted to tell the jury "a little more about river flooding", Judge James Spencer QC told her: "No. I know that it's important to you but it really is not part of the... [read full story]
