High Court overturns acquittal of HS2 protester after appeal by prosecution

Judges direct conviction of Elliott Cuciurean in what is being seen as blow to right to protest

The high court has directed that a protester against the HS2 rail line who was originally acquitted of aggravated trespass should be convicted after an appeal by the director of public prosecutions.

In a decision that will come as a blow to protesters more widely two judges, including the lord chief justice, Lord Burnett, ordered that the case of Elliott Cuciurean be remitted to the magistrates court with a direction to convict.