Protester from Bristol released from prison following tag sizing issue
Gaie Delap was sentenced to 20 months in jail for her part in blocking the M25 in 2022.
A 78-year-old retired teacher has been released from prison after an electronic tracking tag was found to fit her, following issues with sizing.
Gaie Delap- from Montpelier, in Bristol- was sentenced to 20 months in jail for her part in a Just Stop Oil protest blocking the M25 back in 2022.
She was released last November under the home detention curfew (HDC) scheme, but was then recalled to prison when no electronic tracking tag small enough could be found that fit her wrist.
Ms Delap was unable to wear the usual ankle bracelet because of a medical condition.
It's confirmed she was released from prison on the 31st January on HDC.
The Ministry of Justice says if offenders cannot be monitored electronically, they will be returned to prison even if it is no fault of their own.
Good Law UK- a non-profit organisation supporting Gaie's release- posted a statement on their website: "We are very pleased to share the news that Gaie Delap has been released from prison today on home detention curfew.
"The release follows representations and, when these received no response, a letter before action from Hodge Jones & Allen to the Ministry of Justice.
"Lawyers acting for justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said that Gaie’s release meant there was no longer any need to reply to the letter.
"This means Gaie’s legal team won’t need to bring a challenge against the Ministry of Justice about her recall to prison on 20th December 2024.
"A member of our team has spoken with Gaie, who is safely back in her own home. She is overwhelmed with the support she has received and has shared her thanks to Good Law Project supporters.
"But she’s ready to keep fighting her unlawful recall to prison, where she spent Christmas and her birthday.
"We will continue to support Gaie and her legal team to explore legal action against Serco, the company responsible for fitting electronic monitoring tags, and Shabana Mahmood for failing to comply with their duty under the Equalities Act.
"For now, we celebrate Gaie’s release and share our heartfelt thanks for your support."