A retired Church of England priest has been acquitted of charges related to his involvement in Just Stop Oil protests.

Rev Tim Hewes, along with seven others, was accused of conspiring to cause a public nuisance during the 2022 protests that blocked the M25.

Despite his history of protest stunts, including sewing his mouth shut and glueing himself to furniture, he was found not guilty.

The 73-year-old had been arrested in November 2022, spent six weeks in detention, and was required to wear a GPS tag as part of his bail conditions.

He has since expressed concern over the climate crisis, stating he would do everything to prevent his grandchildren from experiencing it.

During the trial, police seized items such as an umbrella, duct tape, and an Extinction Rebellion vest from Rev Hewes' home to build a case of pre-planned conspiracy to block the M25.

Two other Just Stop Oil supporters, Ian Bates, 65, and Abigail Percy-Ratcliffe, 25, were found guilty and will be sentenced on 9th May.

The trial highlighted the climate crisis as an "existential threat," with Just Stop Oil calling for an emergency plan to halt oil and gas use by 2030 and prevent further global warming.