A judge criticised for handing prison sentences to fracking protesters has family links to the oil and gas industry.
Judge Robert Altham jailed Simon Blevins, 26, Richard Roberts, 36, and Richard Loizou, 31, over their demo at a Cuadrilla site.
The trio – known as the “Fracking Three” – are believed to be the first environmental activists to be imprisoned for public nuisance since 1932. Critics claimed the punishment was “manifestly excessive”. Now, it has been revealed that the Altham family business supply the Irish Sea oil and gas industry.
JC Altham and Sons are believed to be part of the supply chain for energy giants Centrica, who have invested tens of millions of pounds into fracking.
Judge Altham’s sister, Jane Watson, put her name to an open letter in favour of fracking, which said, “It’s time to give shale a chance” and claimed it would create jobs.
The protesters climbed on to the roofs of lorries taking drilling equipment to a Cuadrilla fracking site in Lancashire last July. They refused to come down for hours, causing disruption and costing the firm £50,000.
Soil scientist Blevins and piano restorer Roberts were given 16-month jail terms while teacher Loizou got 15 months last month.
Their lawyers are trying to overturn their sentences.
Sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Judge Altham said: “Only immediate custody can achieve sufficient punishment.”
The judge’s parents John and Linda, 86 and 84, are directors of JC Altham & Sons. Jane, 54, is managing director of the firm, who supply ships’ stores, including food and drink, tools, rigging equipment and clothes. Their website says they are a “specialist supplier to offshore gas and oil platforms”.
Judges are expected to tell defence and prosecution lawyers if they feel their impartiality in a case may be called into question. A spokesman for the Judges' Council said: “There are longstanding principles, set out in case law, which guide how judges approach possible conflicts of interest.”
Judge Altham did not wish to add anything to the council’s statement. Former police officer Jane declined to comment.
