Silent protesters greeted lawyers, defendants and jurors as they arrived at Oxford Crown Court on Monday morning.

The group of six was part of a nationwide protest against the decision to prosecute 68-year-old Trudi Warner for contempt of court.

The retired social worker was arrested in March after allegedly communicating to jurors with a sign during the trial of Insulate Britain protesters at Inner London Crown Court.

Inside, the judge had instructed jurors to decide the case according to the law and evidence, and set aside their views on climate change.

On Monday, around 240 were said to be taking part in the protests outside two dozen courts around the country, with demonstrators holding up placards with messages telling would-be jurors that they ‘have an absolute right to acquit a defendant according to your conscience’.

READ MORE: Crown court judge branded 'bully' in steps-of-court demo

Among those taking part in the Oxford demonstration, Ines Smyth, 74, from Jericho, said: “I think it’s a progression of things for the last year or two the law has started to take a peculiar turn where the rights of citizens to express their opinions has been curtailed.”

She described the ability of juries to acquit was an ‘incredible safeguard for all of us whoever they are whatever crime they are supposed to have committed’.

The youngest to join the protest outside Oxford Crown Court was 19-year-old Xanthe Wells.

“Everyone should have the right to be acquitted according to a jurors conscience and the fact this is being taken away is very concerning,” the teenager said.

“‘I promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth’ is a very hard thing to do when you are not able to speak your defence in court.

“As a young person I want to grow up in a world where people are cared for and educated not oppressed and trapped in boxes.”

Oxford Mail: Anne Taylor and Ines Smyth join the protest outside Oxford Crown Court on Monday, September 25

A three-page letter delivered to the court on Monday morning was addressed to the court’s judges.

In it, the protesters said: “If those charged with crimes have taken action only to prevent a much greater injustice, the jury should be able to take that into account.”