A 77-year-old environmental activist will spend Christmas in prison after authorities can't find an electronic device small enough to fit on his wrist, despite being released with an electronic tag.
Gaie Delap, a former teacher and Quaker from Bristol, was jailed in August along with four co-defendants for taking part in the destructive Just Stop Oil protests on the M25 in November 2022. .
She was released in November to serve the remainder of her sentence under a home detention curfew. However, the private company contracted to attach the tag to Ms. Delap was unable to place one on her ankle due to her health condition, and they were unable to obtain a tag small enough to fit a wrist her size.
A warrant was issued for her arrest two weeks ago because there was no equipment to monitor her. Since then, Delap has been at home with her suitcase packed, waiting for police to knock on her door. Police arrived on Friday night and took her to Eastwood Park Prison, Gloucestershire.
DeLap's supporters fear that not only will she have to spend Christmas in prison, but she will also have to serve the remainder of her sentence behind bars.
Delap, who has a variety of health issues, was unable to wear an ankle tag due to the risk of deep vein thrombosis. The same issue with tagging arose while she was on bail and a 7pm to 7am 'door curfew' was agreed, with random checks incorporated. No such alternative was presented this time.
Delap's brother Mick Delap and former probation officer and friend Mike Campbell said in a statement: “We are outraged by Ms. Guyet's recall. We know this is cruel and completely unnecessary. We know there are alternatives to the tag. If so, you know the tag was available.
“Gayet is no threat to the community. This recall to prison is an outrageous waste of resources and money. We hope that common sense prevails and we ask for her re-release.”
At the time of Delap's sentencing, her MP, Carla Denyer, said that Delapp's actions were “completely peaceful and non-violent and aimed at drawing attention to the threat posed by the climate.” He said he was deeply concerned about the “unjust sentence” handed down to Delap. emergency”.
Mr Denyer previously said: “When I heard about this incident, my jaw hit the floor. It's so absurd. I have taken this directly to the Prisons Minister, Lord Timpson. This is an unwarranted repression of the protesters. It is clear that Guyet poses no threat to our fellow citizens.”
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In a response to her letter dated 17 December 2024, Mr Timpson said that ministers and officials cannot interfere with judgments imposed by independent tribunals and that a strap small enough to fit around her wrist Because it was not found, Delap wrote, “it will be recalled in accordance with the statute.” Law…until a suitable alternative is found. ”
A spokesperson for the UK Prison and Probation Service said: 'We have a duty to enforce sentences handed down by an independent judiciary.The law requires that people released under a home detention curfew must be tagged and recalled if there is no alternative solution.
Mr Delap climbed the gantries of the M25 encircling London during his four-day election campaign, forcing police to carry out traffic stops and leaving an estimated 709,000 drivers stranded with dozens of Just Stop motorists. He was one of the oil supporters.
