Non-violent protesters should not have to disavow motives at trial, study says

Academics say UK defendants should be able to explain reasons for their actions and not have to express remorse

Protesters charged with non-violent offences should not be forced to disavow their motives when defending themselves at trial or seeking mitigation on their sentences, academics have said.

In a challenge to the current approach to protest trials, a study argues courts should allow defendants to explain the reasons for their actions as a defence, and respect their integrity as a mitigating factor.