Sheffield tree protestor receives suspended custodial sentence – Sheffield City Council v Payne [2017] EWHC 2692 (QB)

This case involved the long-running stand-off between Sheffield City Council and tree campaigners as to the Council’s decision to remove, and replace, a large number of trees from its highways. On 15 August 2017, Males J granted an injunction against three named defendants and persons unknown to prevent them entering safety zones on the public highway set-up around trees. By his judgment, dated 31 October 2017, Males J found Calvin Payne in contempt on three counts but dismissed the case against Alison Teal. At the sentencing hearing, on 3 November 2017, Males J sentenced Calvin Payne to 3 months’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months. Yaaser Vanderman appeared for Sheffield City Council at the sentencing hearing. A copy of the Judge’s sentencing remarks can be found here.