EIGHT people arrested in connection with protests against an open cast mine appeared at South Durham Magistrates Court yesterday.

They have entered not guilty pleas to all charges and will stand trial on August 1 at Teesside Magistrates Court in relation to protests at Banks’ mine at Dipton, near Consett.

Ruth Hayward, 44 and of Fenham Road, Newcastle, is charged with obstructing a person engaged in lawful activity, wilful obstruction of a highway and aggravated trespass. Sarah Alice Johnson, 23, of Thornhill Terrace, Sunderland, is charged with obstructing a person and common assault; Farid Mejahid, 26, of Pont Hall, Dipton, is charged with hindering use of tools and common assault. Robyn Clogg, 31 of Dipton, Stanley, is charged with hindering the use of tools. Tobias Munnion, 25, of Woodbine Road, Newcastle, Eleanor Ransom, 21, of Sevenoaks, Kent, Jessica Sankey, 23, of Burnip Park Mews, London, and Luka Lecoutteux, 22, from Barnet, all face a charge of obstructing a person in a lawful act.

There are two more protesters who did not attend court but will also face trial on August 1.