A climate protester arrested more than 16 times has raised more than £2,100 on a GoFundMe page to pay court fines and avoid being sent to prison.

Gabriella Ditton, of Silver Road in Norwich, has taken part in numerous protests involving direct action groups Extinction Rebellion, Insulate Britain and Just Stop Oil.

The 28-year-old is currently on trial in London accused of criminal damage over £100,000 worth of damage caused to Barclays’ headquarters in Canary Wharf.

Eastern Daily Press: Gabriella Ditton being arrested at a protest at Barclays in Canary Wharf. She is currently on trial for criminal damageGabriella Ditton being arrested at a protest at Barclays in Canary Wharf. She is currently on trial for criminal damage (Image: PA)

She is also facing a further trial at Norwich Court Court next year after pink paint was thrown over council buildings in Norwich.

On her crowdfunding page appealing for donations, she states the current trial “has a significant risk” of her being sent to jail. 

“I am hoping that if I can pay off these fines, I can reduce my chance of prison,” she adds.

The serial lawbreaker includes a breakdown of fines she has received from the courts including £635 after being arrested as part of an Extinction Rebellion 'blockade' of newspaper printing presses in 2020.

She was also fined £425 for obstructing the M25 in September 2021 and £875 after she glued herself to Stratford Magistrates Court in support of Insulate Britain campaigners. 

Her GoFundMe page has so far raised more than £2,100 with five anonymous donors giving over £100 and one £400.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich activist Gabriella Ditton during sit-down Insulate Protest protest on bridge in LondonNorwich activist Gabriella Ditton during sit-down Insulate Protest protest on bridge in London (Image: PA)

Despite pleading for money to avoid jail she states that she has no intention of stopping protesting.

“I've been doing frontline climate activism in the UK for the last three years, and am showing no signs of slowing down,” she boasts.

“In fact as the climate crisis gets worse, I'll have no option but to push harder. I really need support to do this.”

Groups against direct action protests have questioned the use of crowdfunding.

Cameron Smith, spokesman for the Conservative Environment Network (CEN), which has 150 Conservative MPs and 500 councillors as members, including some from Norfolk, said Extinction Rebellion protests were “deeply counter-productive”.

“They only disrupt people's lives, put the public off climate action and waste police resources,” he said.

“If you are serious about protecting our planet, don't bail out protesters. Instead, ask your local MP to prioritise climate action and take steps in your own life to live as sustainably as possible.”