A retired former Crewe vicar accused of breaching a High Court injunction by peacefully sitting outside an oil terminal - has received a suspended sentence. 

On September 14, Rev'd Bill White, rector of Wistaston from 1990 to 2007, sat outside the Kingsbury Oil Terminal, Warwickshire - demanding an end to new oil and gas projects in the UK.

The former Church Lane rector, who appeared at Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday (September 22) - was among 51 Just Stop Oil supporters remanded to prison on 15 September.

The 51 peaceful protesters refused to comply with court proceedings and promised to break the injunction again. It included three members of the clergy. 

On September 14, Rev'd Bill White (left), rector of Wistaston from 1990 to 2007, sat outside the Kingsbury Oil Terminal, Warwickshire - demanding an end to new oil and gas projects in the UK (Just Stop Oil).

They were all accused of contempt of court for sitting outside the Kingsbury Oil Terminal - in breach of the North Warwickshire injunction.

This was a private injunction, seeking to outlaw any demonstrations, protests or peaceful civil resistance from taking place outside Kingsbury Oil Terminal.

The charge of contempt of court relates to breach of the North Warwickshire injunction. 

Rev'd White was sentenced to 26 days suspended for 2 years and also ordered to pay costs of £412.

The conditions of the suspended sentences follow the terms set out in the injunction, not to protest in the vicinity of the Kingsbury Oil Terminal.

The Rev'd Bill White said: "You expect a member of the clergy to stand up for truth and justice, and in a way consistent with the values and principles of Jesus.

Rev'd Bill White, was a rector at St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Wistaston from 1990 to 2007 (Chester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers).

"Being faithful to that calling has led me to where I am now.

"I have studied climate science. I've petitioned and written to MPs and ministers.

"I can't sit by as the government issues new fossil fuel licenses and destroys my family's future.

"The sense of helplessness felt now is already a personal prison. They threaten unlimited fines, taking away my grandchildren's inheritance.

"But in the future we are heading towards that money will have no value for them.

"Join others from Just Stop Oil to Occupy Westminster on Saturday (October 1), to demand an end to all new oil and gas."

Rev'd White was sentenced to 26 days suspended for 2 years and also ordered to pay costs of £412 (Bill White).

This committal hearing was the third day of four days of hearings taking place at Birmingham Crown Court last week, with more taking place this week.

A spokesperson for the Just Stop Oil coalition said yesterday (September 26): "Last week 56 supporters of our campaign were being held in prisons around the country.

"This is unprecedented in the UK's recent history.

"This year we have experienced the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK, uncontrollable wildfires and water shortages, whilst our government continues to approve new oil and gas projects in the UK.

"If the government won't stop the genocidal death project that is new oil and gas, then ordinary people have no other choice but to stop it themselves, to protect the lives of their families, their communities and everything they hold dear."

Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK (Just Stop Oil).

For more information about Just Stop Oil please click here and here. 

The Department of Energy and Climate Change have been contacted for comment.

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