Protester, 79, is spared jail term
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WILL BENNETT
A sympathiser saved a 79-year-old animal rights campaigner from prison yesterday after paying off the remains of a fine imposed for turning a hosepipe on a police officer during a demonstration against live exports.
Tilly Merritt, who became one of the best-known campaigners against the live animal trade in the Essex port of Brightlingsea, was about to leave for Holloway prison in north London when Lewis Hazel, 65, and also from Brightlingsea, stepped in.
Two months ago Mrs Merritt, a widow and great grandmother, who lives in Brightlingsea, was fined pounds 150 with pounds 102 costs and ordered to pay pounds 50 compensation for assaulting the policeman during the demonstration in the port last August.
An anonymous donor paid all but pounds 50 of the pounds 302 penalty, but at Colchester magistrates' court in Essex yesterday Mrs Merritt remained defiant about paying a penny herself.
She said she was not happy that someone else had paid most of it and as supporters in the public gallery shouted insults at Adrian Amos, the chairman of the magistrates, she added: "I would sooner go to prison."
Mr Amos told Mrs Merritt: "Regrettably, the court has to send you to prison for two days."
Mrs Merritt said after her release: "At first I was a bit uptight about being released, I was a bit disappointed. I was prepared to go to jail, I had my bag packed. But he meant well, he did not want to see me go to jail."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments