A 'Just Stop Oil' protestor from Newcastle upon Tyne has pleaded not guilty to a charge of throwing tinned soup at a prestigious Van Gogh painting in the National Gallery.
Anna Holland, 20, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' court this morning alongside Phoebe Plummer, 21, from Lambeth - with both parties pleading not guilty to the vandalism of the £76million 1888 Sunflowers painting.
The PA News Agency reports that this comes after Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion demonstrators descended on Westminster, central London, on Friday to protest against the Government’s approach to the environment.
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Appearing in the dock together, Holland and Plummer spoke only to confirm their name, date of birth, addresses and to enter pleas of not guilty to criminal damage to the value of less than £5,000.
Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo said the pair threw the 'orange substance' knowing there was a 'protective case' over the actual painting, though damage was caused to the frame. Ms Oyedepo said it is unclear at this stage what the value of the damage is but said it is 'significantly below the £5,000 cost threshold'.
She said the pair 'did not damage the picture because the picture is worth millions', while Katie McFadden, defending, said: “The prosecution needs to prove that damage has been caused.”
She added that the 'extent of the damage would be relevant to the proportionality assessment' in weighing up their right to expression. District judge Tan Irkam released the pair on bail on the condition they do not enter galleries or museums and do not have paint or adhesive substances in a public place.
He set their trial for December 13 at City of London Magistrates’ Court.
Some 28 arrests were made in relation to Friday’s protests, the Metropolitan Police said, while 25 others have been bailed pending further enquiries.
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