UK climate activists who targeted World Snooker Championship spared jail

A judge spared two Just Stop Oil activists from jail in the UK on Wednesday after they were convicted of disrupting last year's World Snooker Championship by throwing orange powder on a playing table.

District judge Daniel Curtis sentenced Edred Whittingham, known as Eddie, and his fellow protester Margaret Reid to community orders at a sentencing hearing at Sheffield Magistrates' Court.

The pair must complete 300 hours of unpaid work between them following their convictions over the demonstration at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in April 2023.

Whittingham interrupted a first-round match by jumping onto the snooker table and emptying a bag of orange powder across the green baize while wearing a Just Stop Oil T-shirt.

A jury found the 26-year-old, of Exeter in southwest England, guilty of causing nearly £900 ($1,160) in damage to the table, which he must pay.

The judge also ordered him to stump up £390 in court costs, and complete 25 rehabilitation activity days alongside 200 hours of unpaid work.

Ex-museum worker Reid, 53, of Cumbria, northwest England, had tried to target the other playing table but was prevented by the match referee.

She was convicted of attempted criminal damage and hit with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, as well as 100 hours of unpaid work and £390 costs.

Sentencing the pair, Curtis noted that "many people would be critical" of his decision not to jail them, but warned that prospect loomed for re-offending.

"If you continue, as it seems you may well do, to undertake actions that are unlawful albeit expressions of your right to protest -- custody is not far away and is almost inevitable," he said.

Whittingham told reporters outside court he was willing to go to jail.

"I've been to prison twice before and it's not going to deter us because we're facing a climate crisis," he said.

Just Stop Oil wants the UK government to end all new oil and gas exploration and has promised not to let up in its protests until it does so.

Its activists have targeted numerous high-profile events with stunts in recent years, including the Wimbledon tennis tournament and British Open golf tournament, as well as art galleries and museums.