Extinction Rebellion protesters stay away from court over Covid-19 fears

One defendant did not attend hearing into last year's protests as she was self-isolating

Dozens of Extinction Rebellion protesters failed to attend their court hearings after the campaign group told them to stay away due to the coronavirus crisis.

Forty-nine people were due to appear at City of London magistrates court on Friday charged in connection with a series of environmental demonstrations held in the capital last October.