Man who encouraged people to damage Ulez camera cries in dock as he avoids jail --[Reported by Umva mag]

An electrician who said he would ‘smash each and every’ Ulez employee he saw in the face cried in court as he was spared jail.

Joseph Nicholls, 43, posted messages on Facebook encouraging people to damage and dismantle Ulez cameras in April 2023.

The father-of-three then sent threatening emails to Transport for London’s contractor Yunex, who were responsible for erecting the ultra-low emission zone cameras throughout London.

In the email, Nicholls referred to one employee as a ‘smelly c*nt’ and said ‘If I see that group of failed electricians, I will get out of my car and smash each and every one of you in the face’, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

A police search of the electrician’s property found parts for two Ulez cameras.

The father-of-three also allowed his home to be used by Ulez opponents who were members of the Facebook group ‘Action against unfair Ulez, LTNs and 20mph nonsense’.

Nicholls has received three previous court cautions, which includes one in 2017 for threatening a rail company.

In an hour long sentencing on Wednesday, September 25, TfL described Nicholls’ actions as ‘morally reprehensible’, as the scheme was in place to help Londoners breathe cleaner air.

‘Toxic air leads to children growing up with stunted lungs and is linked to people developing dementia, cancer and other serious health conditions,’ a spokesperson for TfL said.

‘Most poignantly it is attributed to thousands of premature deaths.

‘We hope this sentence will act as a warning to those considering breaking the law and engaging in acts that could result in serious harm to themselves and others.’

The 43-year-old cried in the dock as he was handed a ten month suspended jail sentence for sharing the Facebook post and 18 weeks for the threatening email – which means he will not serve any time unless he commits a crime in this period.

He was ordered to pay a total of £6,817 to cover prosecution costs, compensation to Yunex Traffic, and a £187 victim surcharge.

Sentencing, Recorder Andrew Hammond said that Nicholls displayed a ‘genuine remorse’ for his actions and accounted for the impact jail time would have on his three daughters, who are 14, 11 and nine.

Hammond told Nicholls although he had never personally damaged the Ulez cameras, he had contributed to the wider movement which had led to 174 cameras being damaged or vandalised.

TfL has around 3,700 Ulez cameras in operation, each of which cost about £9,000, the court heard.

Nicholls had become involved with anti-Ulez activists when his grandfather was widowed, Claire Cooper, defending, said.

The £12.50 charge meant that he and his younger sister, who grew up in foster care, could spend less time with their family member, she said.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.