A protestor who was part of a climate change protest group which blocked the road leading to the Valero Pembroke oil refinery has been fined, after pleading guilty to an obstruction charge.

Forty-six-year-old Daniel Marc Hooper, of Wernlas, Llandeilo, was charged with wilful obstruction of a highway.

He appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to answer the charge.

The offence took place on September 19, when a group of climate change protestors occupied the road at Rhoscrowther, blocking the route to the refinery.

Prosecutor, Sian Vaughan told the court that police went to deal with the protestors and found two people lying across the road.

It was here that they found Mr. Hooper with his hands in a concrete block.

The defendant was told to leave peacefully, but refused and was subsequently arrested.

Magistrates were told of his previous convictions, the last coming in 2009 for aggravated trespass.

Mr. Hooper, who was not represented, said he accepted the facts as he could not afford to keep coming to court.

However, he told the court that he was doing it “to prevent a greater crime.”

The defendant was fined £40, ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs, as well as a victim surcharge of £32.