Activist Jailed For Wrecking Three Police Cars

An environmental activist has been sentenced to two years in prison after damaging three police cars with homemade stinger devices on New Year's Eve.

Emma Sheppard pleaded guilty to the offence in January because of the "strength of evidence against her", Avon and Somerset Police claimed.

The 33-year-old placed the stinger devices - each with five large nails sticking through a piece of plywood - in the road in Bristol with the "sole aim of damaging the police vehicles", according to Detective Inspector Andy Beavan.

He added: "[New Year's Eve] is one of the busiest nights of the year in terms of us responding to emergency calls, and Sheppard rendered all three vehicles unusable.

"Her actions posed a serious risk to our police officers as well as other road users, and formed part of a reckless and dangerous plan."

The incident was investigated by officers from Operation Rhone, which has investigated more than 100 incidents of domestic extremism to date - including arson and criminal damage.

Mr Beavan added: "We have a long and proud history of facilitating peaceful protest, and also supporting people who choose alternative lifestyles.

"Where protest crosses the line into criminality, we'll take a tough stance in order to keep our communities safe and feeling safe."