Climate group's railway protest.

Byline: AMY MURPHY 

A GROUP of environmental protesters who ambushed a freight train as it took fuel to the largest coal-fired power station in Europe cheered in court yesterday after they were sentenced.

A total of 29 protesters took part in a non-violent protest against climate change and the pollution caused by Drax power station, near Selby, North Yorkshire, in June last year.

Yesterday, 26 of those protesters, two from Wales, were sentenced for obstructing the railway after they were convicted at Leeds Crown Court earlier this year.

Paul Mellett, 30, of Machynlleth, received a community order to carry out 60 hours unpaid work and Thomas Johnstone, 26, of Cardigan, received a 12-month conditional discharge.

The remaining three will be sentenced in October.

The protest lasted for 16 hours, causing delays to freight and passenger services and the clean-up operation cost nearly pounds 37,000.

The protesters told the jury they did not believe they were doing anything criminal because they were trying to prevent climate change.

Judge James Stewart QC said the offence was "deliberate" and "well-planned" and said the consequences of their actions were "significant".