Climate activist who tied himself to goalpost at Everton v Newcastle match says it was 'worth it'

Climate change activist Louis McKechnie tied himself to a goalpost during an Everton v Newcastle match. Credit: PA images

A climate change activist who has been jailed for six weeks after tying himself to a goalpost at a Premier League match says his actions were "worth it" if they save lives.

Louis McKechnie used a mental-enforced zip tie to attach himself by his neck, telling the court he wanted to raise awareness of the negative impact fossil fuels have on the environment and to "get the Government to listen".

The 21-year-old denied aggravated trespass and going onto the playing area at the game at Everton's Goodison Park stadium on 17 March, but was found guilty at a trial at South Sefton Magistrates' Court on Friday.

He was given a six-week prison sentence for aggravated trespass, but the court heard he had already served that sentence, having been in custody since July.

The protester that tied himself to the goal frame was ejected from the stadium by police at Goodison Park. Credit: PA images

Sentencing him, District Judge Wendy Lloyd said: "I have no doubt from what you have told me that you're passionate about your cause."

Adding his actions were "reckless" and "potentially very dangerous".

Simon Jones, prosecuting, said McKechnie entered the pitch at the beginning of the second half in the match against Newcastle United.

Wearing an orange Just Stop Oil T-shirt, he was on the pitch for 10 minutes while stewards attempted to remove him, the court heard.

Video footage showed McKechnie walking down the steps in the stand and climbing over a gate to get onto the pitch.

PC Colin White, who arrested McKechnie after he was carried off the pitch, told the court one supporter attempted to assault the activist.

Louis McKechnie says it was "worth it" if it will help save lives. Credit: PA images

He added: "At that time in the football season Everton were struggling so there was great frustration in the crowd already.

"When Mr McKechnie went onto the pitch and attached himself to the goalpost there was a lot of frustration, there was a lot of shouting, a lot of abuse and the occasional missile was being thrown onto the pitch in the direction of the goal."

McKechnie told the court Just Stop Oil was a civil resistance group which wanted the Government to act to end the use of fossil fuels.

He said: "We came up with the idea of how do we get the most eyes on that name, Just Stop Oil, and of course, in this day and age, football is the biggest cultural phenomenon there is."

The match he targeted was picked because Everton were playing Newcastle - a football team sponsored by oil company Saudi Aramco, he told the court.

McKechnie added: "Hopefully, public awareness will bring public action which might actually, if we can get the Government to listen to us, might actually save a lot of lives.

"If it's a chance of saving a billion lives, it's worth it no matter the odds."

McKechnie targeted the Everton vs Newcastle match as the Magpies are sponsored by oil company Saudi Aramco, he told the court. Credit: PA images

Laura O'Brien, defending, said McKechnie was responding to the climate emergency and what he believed were failing democratic processes.

She said: "While the world watches this billion-pound enterprise that is Premier League football, which people are captivated by, he is taking the message to them that we need to Just Stop Oil."

The court heard McKechnie, who gave his address as HMP Altcourse, had previous convictions for aggravated trespass and wilfully obstructing the highway.

The protester was also given a £50 fine, or one day in detention, for going onto the playing area, made subject to a three-year football banning order and ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs.