Extinction Rebellion members, Ian Fox and Ngoc Nguyen sentenced for disturbing the peace during climate change protest

Two Extinction Rebellion members have celebrated being spared a conviction after a CBD protest, but have been ordered to pay compensation for vandalism.

Two Extinction Rebellion protesters celebrated being spared a conviction for a climate change rally, but said they will continue to protest until there is climate action.

Ian David Fox, 64, and Ngoc Mai Nguyen, 33, told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday that their drastic actions during a CBD protest were due to their “overwhelming concern” for climate change inaction.

Extinction Rebellion members outside the Magistrates court in support of Fox and Nguyen last week. Photo: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

A police prosecutor told the court that he wasn’t opposed to Fox and Nguyen receiving no further penalty, considering the time they had spent in custody after their arrests.

However, he asked for compensation in the amount of $1375 to be paid to Santos for the cost of cleaning the chalk off their building.

During their protest on March 10, the Santos building was vandalised with slogans, with protesters gluing themselves to Flinders St.

Extinction Rebellion members outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week. NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

“Both persons climbed up on to a ledge and there was some graffiti sprayed on the windows,” the police prosecutor said.

“Ms Nguyen sent off a flare.”

Fox, of Flagstaff Hill, and Nguyen, of Paradise who hung a sign off the Santos building saying “your gas is killing us” had to be brought down by STAR Group officers and MFS crews.

Self-represented, Fox told the court his actions during the protest were due to his “overwhelming concern” about climate change and the impact it will have on future generations.

“It is my belief that protests like the one at Santos contributes to bringing an end to climate inaction,” he said.

The group has been calling on the Australian Government to drastically cut emissions by 2025 to avoid climate disaster.

Fox and Nguyen had pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last week to disturbing the peace.

Extinction Rebellion members Ian Fox and Ngoc Nguyen speaking to the media outside the Adelaide Magistrates court after they were sentenced for disturbing the peace. Photo: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Outside court, Fox told reporters that they were pleased with the outcome and had agreed to pay the compensation to Santos.

“It’s way past time fossil fuel corporations compensated all of us by leaving their fossil fuels in the ground,” he said.

“Australians have a right to protest … and we will continue to protest until we get action on climate change.”

Extinction Rebellion members Ian Fox and Ngoc Nguyen celebrating outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court after they were sentenced for disturbing the peace. Photo: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Ian Fox and Ngoc Nguyen on the Santos building roof during their protest in March. Picture Matt Turner.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, magistrate Stefan Metanomski discharged Fox and Nguyen with no further penalty and ordered they pay the compensation to Santos.

No convictions were recorded.