A Bristol doctor has been sentenced to a year in prison for vandalizing petrol pumps at a service station in Essex
Bristol: So, a doctor from Bristol just got a year in jail for smashing up petrol pumps. Dr. Patrick Hart took a hammer and chisel to 16 pumps at an Esso station on the M25. Crazy, right?
He was part of a protest with Just Stop Oil, trying to make a statement about climate change. After he did the damage, he just hung around until the cops showed up. He even pleaded ‘not guilty’ in court, which is a bit wild considering he admitted to it.
Dr. Hart, who works in South Bristol, said he did it to disrupt drivers as an act of care. He thought it was a responsible thing to do. But now, he’s facing the possibility of losing his medical license because of this stunt.
This isn’t his first run-in with the law. He’s been involved in other protests, including one where he threw cornflour on a rugby pitch. He’s been acquitted before, but new laws make it tougher to use a moral defense in court.
During his trial, he insisted he didn’t feel guilty. He believes his actions were justified and that he was standing up for what’s right. He’s ready to face the consequences, even if it means going to prison.
Now, he’s got a tribunal coming up to see if he can still practice medicine. It’s a tough spot for him, but he’s sticking to his guns about caring for the planet.
