Women charged after aircraft damaged at Stansted airport

They've denied causing over fifty thousand pounds worth of damage

Author: Rosa BownPublished 23rd Jun 2024
Last updated 23rd Jun 2024

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have denied causing at least over fifty thousand pounds worth of damage at Stansted airport

The amount is thought to be at least £52,000 worth of damage after private jets were sprayed with orange paint at Stansted Airport.

The two women, aged 22 and 28, pleaded not guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday -to causing criminal damage and interfering with national infrastructure

The pair are accused of using angle grinders to break through an airport fence on Thursday before entering a taxiway with branded fire extinguishers filled with orange spray paint

Jennifer Kowalski, 28, of Dumbarton in Scotland, and Cole Macdonald, 22, of Brighton appeared in court via videolink from Chelmsford police station, are then alleged to have sprayed two jets.

Kowalski and Macdonald are also both charged with aggravated trespass, though they were not asked to enter pleas for that.

The pair were remanded in custody to appear at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 22.

The court heard that thousands of passengers were impacted as 75 flights were disrupted during a 38-minute delay.

One supporter swore loudly from the public gallery after they were denied bail.

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