Four Deny Criminal Damage Over Crown Jewels Apple Crumble Incident
Defendants claim peaceful protest as they face charges for throwing dessert at Tower of London display case
Quick Look
- Four individuals have denied criminal damage after apple crumble and custard was thrown at the Crown Jewels display case at the Tower of London in December last year.
- The incident caused over £600 damage to the casing and museum floor.
- The defendants claim lawful excuse, arguing it was a peaceful protest with minor damage, and dispute the cleanup time and loss of earnings.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Crown Jewels at the Tower of London are priceless ceremonial objects including the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and the Imperial State Crown. The Crown was worn by King Charles III at his coronation in 2023. Just Stop Oil and affiliated groups have conducted numerous high-profile protests targeting cultural and historical landmarks.
Four people have denied criminal damage after apple crumble and custard was thrown at the display case containing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
More than £600 of damage was caused to the casing and the museum floor in the incident on 6 December last year, a court heard.
They claimed they had a lawful excuse, telling the court it was a peaceful protest and the damage was minor. They also said they did "not intend to be reckless in their actions" and disputed how long it took to clean the site and the museum's loss of earnings.
Ali and Cranch also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of criminal damage in relation to shoes and a cape worn by someone in the room on the same day.
All four were released on bail and are due to appear at City of London Magistrates' Court 31 November and 2 December.
Footage was posted online on the day by the campaign group Take Back Power, which claimed responsibility at the time. The group appears to be an offshoot of Just Stop Oil, which campaigns for a "House of the People with powers to tax the rich and fix Britain".
The Crown is a famous symbol of the monarchy and was worn by King Charles III as he left Westminster Abbey on his coronation day in 2023.
Beyond coronations, the priceless working crown is only used during formal occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament.
Open Questions
- What specific items were damaged on the shoes and cape mentioned in the second charge
- Whether the museum's claimed loss of earnings will be substantiated
- If similar protests are planned by the group
