A Bristol GP who took part in a climate protest damaging petrol pumps has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Dr Patrick Hart was sentenced yesterday at Chelmsford Crown Court, after being found guilty of criminal damage on 29 October last year.
In August 2022, with a group from the campaign Just Stop Oil, Dr Hart used a hammer and chisel to crack the display of 16 petrol pumps and disable them at the Esso petrol station at Thurrock Services on the M25.
He had pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge of criminal damage since while ‘he did not dispute the bare facts of the prosecution’s case’, he said that to plead guilty ‘would have been dishonest’.
Before the sentence, he said: ‘I do not feel guilty for what I did. I believed then, and I believe now that it was the right thing to do. It was the carefully considered action of a responsible citizen. My only defence, however, is a moral one, not a legal one. I did what I did as an act of conscience.’
According to campaigning group Health for Extinction Rebellion, Dr Hart wanted to advocate for ‘urgent and appropriate’ action to prevent the worst of the climate health emergency, since he experienced the suffering of his patients while working in drought-torn South Africa as a junior doctor.
The group said: ‘In his defence he spoke of his understanding of the impacts of our environment on health, and of public health interventions as a core necessity to promoting good health.
‘He also spoke about the responsibility of doctors to look beyond their day-to-day jobs in order to promote the health of their patients.
‘Dr Hart has been a tireless climate campaigner who has already faced significant judicial, emotional, financial and social burdens as a result of his work.
‘This has included three acquittals and one conviction following previous acts of climate related civil disobedience.’
Just Stop Oil said that Dr Hart has already faced civil charges for this action and been fined, as the Thurrock Esso petrol station is subject to a private injunction.
Dr Hart will now also be referred to a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing following the conviction.
The GMC published a document in the summer clarifying the threshold for investigating doctors who protest, saying that they have the ‘right to campaign’ but ‘must follow the law.’
Last year, two GPs were suspended from the medical register following their convictions related to climate protests.
Dr Diana Warner took part in a climate protest blocking the M25 motorway and was suspended for three months following an MPTS hearing in August.
Dr Sarah Benn, who took part in climate change protests at a Warwickshire oil terminal in 2022, was referred to the MPTS for multiple breaches of a court order and was suspended for five months in April of this year.
In November, Health for Extinction Rebellion together with doctors and activists petitioned the GMC to reverse the suspensions.
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There is no excuse for criminal damage in peaceful protest – smashing up petrol pumps is hardly peaceful and to be honest pretty pointless. But I really can’t see how a prison sentence, at tax payers expense, helps anybody other than the right wing establishment wanting to send a message to climate change protesters “keep your whining to peaceful protest we can just ignore or we will lock you up” Interesting how none of the recent farmers protests about paying less inheritance tax than the rest of us have ended up in court ?
Thank you Dave for the clarification – sounds as if a spell in prison is what he wanted – I agree he can’t be well if he chooses a spell in prison over a year of helping those less fortunate than himself.
Seperate from the GMC action, I think he’ll never be able to work as an NHS GP again as cannot be on the performers list with a >6 months sentence.
Irrespective of if you agree with his underlying beliefs, I suspect there were more effective ways of making his point, especially if using the resources he has now lost.
I wonder how many GPs believe climate change is “a thing” worth attention at all…..
Exxon, Saudi Aramco…Oil and gas polluters – criminal hammer and chisel – £trillions profits
This doctor with conscience – criminal hammer and chisel – prison.
I know who I’d prefer to see in prison…
Article missing relevant information.
Multiple arre and court appearances for similar offences, he has previously been given a suspended sentence.
Offered a formal warning by the GMC he refused and opted for a formal Tribunal hearing.
Pointless? No. He’s attracted media attention, keeping the very pressing issue in the public eye. Would I do the same? No. Because I’m a moral coward like 99% of us,
Risking whole career by smashing petrol pump sign does not help climate issue, his family and his career. Not a good move.
Bonkers but a rather harsh, unhelpful sentence.
https://doctorsinunite.com/2025/01/09/gp-imprisoned-for-climate-crisis-protest/
https://blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethics/2025/01/15/the-gmc-must-re-evaluate-its-treatment-of-climate-protesters/
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/supporting-dr-pat – please see all comments made by patients, colleagues & others
A shame it has to end like this for him . Having worked in the Prison system as a GP he will find it very difficult inside. It is difficult enough working in that environment ! He will do 6 months and be out on licence for 6 . I hope he can find work when back on the outside . However that is another issue , There is no work out there at the moment for us locum GP’s . First time in 41 years I have not been gainfully employed .Good luck Patrick . I hope the time is not too tough
https://www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opinion/bma-action-on-protecting-the-climate-and-doctor-activists
BMA action on protecting the climate and doctor activists
https://healthforxr.com/open-letter-to-the-justice-secretary-shabana-mahmood-mp-asking-for-an-urgent-review-of-anti-protest-legislation-and-the-disproportionate-sentencing-of-non-violent-protestors/
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/support-gp-appeal-prison-sentence/ – please see the comments