An activist jailed over recent coal protests in Newcastle has been released on bail pending an appeal.
Eric Serge Herbert was released on Thursday after being sentenced three days prior to 12 months in jail, with a non-parole period of six months, on charges of cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock, attempted hinder working of mining equipment and attempted assist in obstruction of rail locomotive.
Herbert stopped a coal train for five hours by climbing on top of it and he was also arrested several days later at Ash Island where police said they found him with climbing equipment and tools.
A protest was held in the park across from Newcastle Police Station on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with a 22-year-old.
Herbert was granted bail in Newcastle Local Court with strict conditions, including to reside with a family member in Sydney and not to enter the Local Government areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Singleton, Cessnock, Muswellbrook except to attend court.
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