Scenes of "utter chaos" were caused by Black Lives Matter protesters who blocked a key route leading to Heathrow Airport over the summer holiday season, a court has heard.

The group chanted "black lives matter" and "if they do not give us justice, we won't give them peace" as they blocked the M4 southbound spur road on August 5 at about 8.25am, Willesden Magistrates Court heard today (January 17).

Four protesters held a large black banner that said "This Is A Crisis", while six others formed a human chain on the ground.

They had linked their arms together using hollowed fire extinguishers filled with wire mesh and concrete.

The nine people in the dock, who admitted they were Black Lives Matters campaigners, have all pleaded not guilty to wilfully obstructing the highway.

Arresting officer Sergeant Christopher Jackson told the court: "It was utter chaos to be honest.

"The first thing my attention was drawn to was a huge amount of stationary traffic on the southbound lanes.

"People were out of their cars shouting at the protesters who were in the road and the people laying on the floor.

"There were people who seemed to know the protesters but were not involved in it stood on the side of the road.

"Members of the public were angry and shouting at the protesters."

Tailbacks had been created and diversions were put in place on the day as transport teams tried to get holiday makers to the airport on time.

Police set up screens to shield the traffic and called in specialist units.

According to the officer, it took around two-and-a-half hours to cut the protesters free.

The four day trial continues.

The defendants are:

- Sita Balani, 29, of Camberwell Grove, Southwark

- Liam Barrington-Bush, 32, of no fixed abode

- Aditi Jaganathan, 27, of Philip Lane, Tottenham

- Ewa Jasiewicz, 38, of Morpeth Street, Tower Hamlets

- Naomi Mabita, 23, of Mayfield Road, Manchester

- Aadam Muuse, 24, of no fixed abode

- Alison Playford, 38, of Ruislip Road, Greenford

- Joshua Virasami, 26, of Heston Road, Hounslow

- Mark Weaver, 36, of North Beverley, East Riding, Yorkshire.

- Another protester, Taylor Offoh, 20, of Penge, has already accepted a caution.

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