Two men who blocked the highway at Denham while protesting against the HS2 high speed railway plan have been fined.

Iain Edward Oliver, 40, of Harvil Road, Uxbridge and James Ruggles, 23, of Bartram Avenue, Braintree, were both convicted at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 13.

Both men had been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway after they refused to move off the road at Denham Court Drive during an anti-HS2 protest on February 11, causing a delay to work lasting one hour 47 minutes over a distance of 750m.

Oliver and Ruggles were both arrested for wilful obstruction of the highway shortly after.

Ruggles failed to attend the court hearing, but was found guilty despite his absence.

ALSO VIEW Suspended jail sentence for man who harassed and threatened police officer at Milton Keynes

Both men were fined £200 and must pay court costs of £300 each.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “These two men are the first people to be convicted in connection with an anti-HS2 protest in the country.

“Thames Valley Police will continue to facilitate the rights of the public to protest and demonstrate peacefully, alongside the rights of HS2 to conduct their lawful business.

“We hope that these convictions and the fines handed to Oliver and Ruggles will act as a message that whilst we will facilitate peaceful protest, we will take action where necessary and bring people to court.”