Defend Our Juries protestors outside Worcester Crown Court

The group's protest outside the court - the city's highest court - was timed with similar ones across the country on Monday, (December 4), to take place before 10am when cases typically begin to be heard.

It followed a similar protest in September. 

The group said the protest is about the centuries-old right of all jurors in British courtrooms to be able to acquit a defendant according to their conscience and irrespective of the directions of the judge.

PROTEST: Defend our Juries protest (Image: Defend our Juries)

In the latest protest signs were held up outside the court in Foregate Street saying: "The right of juries, to give their verdict according to their convictions" and "Jurors have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience".

Around 10 protesters took part in the sit-down silent protest. 

Members of Extinction Rebellion Worcester took part after court cases involving climate change activists resulted in jury-decided acquittals.

Among those taking part were Satya Robyn, Buddhist minister at Bright Earth Buddhist temple, Malvern, who said: "It's important jurors are allowed to hear about these reasons for people breaking the law.

PROTEST: Worcester Crown Court protesters (Image: Defend our Juries)

"I hope that you believe in free speech, and in the right of jurors to make up their own mind about how eco-activists should be sentenced. I do, and that's why I'm here.”

Former Supreme Court Judge Lord Sumption has criticised juries acquitting people who were "plainly guilty in political cases simply because they sympathise with them" saying it undermined the rule of law.

A spokesperson for the Defend Our Juries campaign said: "A group of Worcestershire and Herefordshire residents joined about 500 hundred others around the country holding signs outside Worcester Crown Court. 

"Defendants are banned from explaining the principle of ‘jury equity’ to the jury, even though it is a well-established principle of law, which is set in marble at the original entrance to the Old Bailey."

The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary was approached for a comment.