Barefoot HS2 protestor ordered to keep away from tunnels by court

Barefoot HS2 protestor who calls himself ‘Lazer’, 20, and whose millionaire father is laird of Scottish island is ordered to keep away from tunnels by court

  • Lachlan Sandford, 20, known as Lazer, ordered to stay away from all HS2 sites
  • He appeared at Highbury Magistrates’ Court in north London earlier today
  • His bail conditions updated to prevent him interfering with the HS2 project

An anti-HS2 campaigner who handed himself to police after spending 11 days in tunnels beneath Euston Station has been ordered to stay away from all HS2 sites.

Lachlan Sandford, 20, known as Lazer, was taken into police custody after he voluntarily left the network of tunnels beneath Euston Square Gardens in central London on Saturday.

During a brief hearing at Highbury Magistrates’ Court in north London today, breach of bail proceedings against Sandford were withdrawn.

Prosecutor Elgisa Ismaili instead requested to amend the activist’s bail conditions.

Lachlan Sandford, 20, known as Lazer, has been ordered to stay away from all HS2 sites at a brief hearing at Highbury Magistrates’ Court in north London today

According to a court listing document, Sandford’s appearance related to court proceedings at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court in November last year.

Sandford, appearing from custody wearing a grey tracksuit and white face mask, spoke only to give his name, date of birth, confirm he had no fixed address and that he understood the proceedings.

His updated bail conditions require him not to interfere with the workings of any HS2 site and not to enter, be present, or remain in any HS2 site or building which is clearly identified as such by way of a sign, fence or other marking.

At least four people are approaching two weeks spent beneath Euston Square Gardens as part of a protest over the impact of the planned high-speed railway.

Sandford, the son of an island-owning millionaire Scottish laird, was one of six activists who had been living underground to protest the £98billion HS2 project.

At a separate short hearing on Monday, in a Highbury Magistrates’ youth court, a 17-year-old protester, who was arrested after leaving the Euston protest tunnels, also saw breach of bail proceedings withdrawn by prosecutors.

A spokesman from HS2 Ltd previously said on Friday night that the demonstrator had been detained after she voluntarily left the tunnel.

The teenage activist, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was supported by her mother in court.

Her bail conditions were also amended and match those set for Sandford.

A Highbury Magistrates’ Court listing document stated that the teenager’s appearance related to court proceedings at St Albans Magistrates’ Court in December last year.

A spokesman for HS2 Ltd has said that the safety of protesters, HS2 staff and emergency services personnel was of ‘paramount importance’, that it was doing ‘all we can to end this illegal action safely’ and called for activists to exit the tunnels ‘as soon as possible’. 

At least four people are approaching two weeks spent beneath Euston Square Gardens as part of a protest over the impact of the planned high-speed railway. Pictured: Lazer while in the tunnels

It comes after Sandford handed himself over to police at the weekend in exchange for hygiene and sanitary products for the remaining protestors. 

A spokesman for the HS2 Rebellion group said Mr Sandford left in exchange for supplies including hygiene and sanitary products and lights for the remaining demonstrators.

In a statement, a spokesman for the HS2 Rebellion group said: ‘Eleven days in a tunnel and 30 hours in a lockon were painful, but that’s nothing compared with the current and coming suffering caused by the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

‘As the UK’s most Ecocidal project, HS2 is accelerating the climate and ecological emergency, through unprecedented tree felling and roughly 14 million tonnes of CO2.

‘I was inspired to do this by my dear friend Fox who died tragically a year ago today fighting for what he believed in. He was an inspiration to countless people who want to mend the world.

‘Me and my tunnelling friends are choosing to protect lives by means of protest.’

Roc Sandford, father of Lazer and fellow tunnel protester 18-year-old Blue Sandford, previously said he was ‘scared and distressed’ as their parent but was ‘right behind them’ and understood ‘exactly why they know they have to do this’.

Commenting on the tunnellers he told the PA news agency on Friday: ‘I am in awe of all of those incredibly brave spirits down there, not just my children, but all of them.’  

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