Newcastle woman bailed in connection with soup attack on Van Gogh's Sunflowers
Two women have appeared in court accused of criminal damage
Last updated 15th Oct 2022
Two women have appeared in court charged with criminal damage to the frame of a famous Vincent Van Gogh painting at a London art gallery - including a 20-year old from Newcastle.
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.
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.
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.
Soup thrown over painting's frame
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.
Meanwhile, 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.
The 25 other people have been bailed pending further inquiries.
Friday marked the 14th day of "continuous disruption" by the environmental group, which has also seen protesters block several key roads in the capital.