An 83-year-old Just Stop Oil activist from the Isle of Wight has vowed to continue protesting, despite nearly being jailed following a march in London.

Retired chemistry teacher, Brenda Bumstead, from Bembridge, was arrested in November last year and spent around ten hours in police custody.

She was charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and on July 4 this year, was found not guilty after a two-day trial.

Even after appearing in court, Brenda, a well-known charity volunteer on the Island, said she does not fear going to prison.

Dismissing concerns about the group's "disruptive" methods, she said: "Carbon Dioxide kills people. Why can't they see that?"

(Image: IWCP)

Brenda decided to join Just Stop Oil after former Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, granted new North Sea oil and gas licences in July last year.

"I was angry that someone was going to commit ecocide", she said.

Another reason, she said, was climate change causing droughts in Zimbabwe, where she used to live and still has family.

"More carbon dioxide means more climate change", she said.

Alongside two other Islanders, Brenda joined a Just Stop Oil training course in Southsea and a rally in Portsmouth.

Craving more, she attended two more marches in London.

The second, on November 14, saw her join around a dozen campaigners on Kennington Road and ended with her being put in a police van — her first brush with the law.

Brenda BumsteadBrenda Bumstead (Image: IWCP)

Brenda was taken to Bromley Police Station where she spent the next ten hours.

Wearing the tracksuit bottoms given to her in custody, she told the County Press the experience was "interesting".

Because of her age, she said they treated her differently, making her tea and giving her biscuits.

She was later charged and on July 3 and 4, Brenda appeared in court for a two-day trial, alongside other protesters. 

One of the reasons for the not guilty verdict, Brenda said, was because her team were able to prove Kennington Road and Kennington Park was an appropriate place for a protest, having formerly been a common.

She said the judge ruled they were only on the road for a couple of minutes and not causing traffic disruption.

Brenda said she is "designed" to be a protester and plans to continue campaigning.

"I've got no children and no grandchildren to think about.

"I've sailed the Atlantic, dived to the Mary Rose and climbed Kilimanjaro, but I've never been to prison."