Two in court over soup attack on Van Gogh's Sunflowers
A third woman's also been charged with criminal damage after the New Scotland Yard sign was defaced
Last updated 15th Oct 2022
Three Just Stop Oil climate activists have appeared in court over protests - which included soup being thrown over Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting.
Two women are charged in relation to tomato soup being thrown on the painting at the National Gallery, while a third is charged over paint sprayed on to the rotating New Scotland Yard sign.
Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion demonstrators descended on Westminster yesterday (Fri 14 Oct) for a 14th day of to protest against the Government's approach to the environment.
Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle, and Phoebe Plummer, 21, from Lambeth, south-west London, both pleaded not guilty to criminal damage to the frame of Van Gogh's painting in a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning.
Lora Johnson, 38, from Southwold, Suffolk, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage at the same court after paint was sprayed on to the New Scotland Yard sign.
Painting frame damaged by tomato soup
Two tins of Heinz tomato soup were thrown over the Sunflowers painting by van Gogh at the National Gallery. The painting's behind glass, but paint covered the golden frame.
The 25 other people have been bailed pending further inquiries.
District judge Tan Irkam released Holland and Plummer 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.
Mr Irkam released Johnson on bail on the condition she does not have paint or adhesive materials in a public place and set her trial for November 23 at City of London Magistrates' Court.
"The court will not prevent you from lawfully protesting," Mr Irkam said.
25 others arrested have been bailed pending further enquiries.