Scaffolder, 22, who tried to stop the eco-yob protest, was eventually acquitted eight months after his arrest

A SCAFFOLDER who was handcuffed by police for trying to break up a Just Stop Oil protest has finally had the case dropped after eight months.

Louis Grieves, 22, discovered it just before he was because he has to appear in court Today.

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Prosecutors told City of London MPs there was insufficient evidence to proceed. Louis said: “I'm glad it's all over.”

He was late for work when he got out of his van to push away two protesters at Blackfriars Bridge last May.

Police struggled with him and then arrested him for common assault.

The charge was later reduced to using threatening words or behavior.

A three-hour trial would have cost the taxpayer £770 – on top of hundreds of pounds spent on a plea hearing in October.

Toby Young of the Free Speech Union said: “The Police should focus on maintaining law and order and allowing ordinary citizens to get to work on time, not on arresting decent, hard-working people.”

Louis previously told The Sun: “The officers were having a relaxed chat and might as well have made a cup of tea for the protesters while inviting them to block traffic.

“They dragged me away and claimed I was attacking the demonstrators – while the officers cracked down. I tried to bring peace.

“People were desperate and I had to intervene.”

The Met said today: “We have no further comment.”

Just stop using oil said, “We wish him well,” but claimed he had gotten off lightly compared to some jailed protesters.