06 Dec Extinction Rebellion co-founder fined after spray painting logo on Number 10 gates
Extinction Rebellion (XR) co-founder was convicted of criminal damage for spray painting XR logo on the gates of Downing Street during the April protests.
The 52-year-old Quaker and father of two, Ian John Bray of 55 Howard Way, Barnet was arrested at the scene 30thApril 2019.
Bray pleaded not guilty at the City of London Magistrates’ Court. The defence claimed the spray paint used was chalk based, meaning it is easy to wash off, so no serious criminal damage occurred.
The defence also claimed that Bray should be lawfully excused because he was acting out of necessity in response to a genuine threat – climate change.
Although Bray had two character references he was found guilty and was fined £120 under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, a £20 victim surcharge and £300 prosecution costs.
One of the magistrates said Bray had intended to cause the damage so the defence of necessity wasn’t proved. The criminal act was “too far removed” from any changes made in government.
The prosecution, Matthew Radnor claimed,
“Extinction Rebellion may have made a difference but the acts of the defendant didn’t bring that change. The act of spray painting is too far removed to actually make change in government.”
Before the magistrates went to deliberate, unusually Bray was allowed to speak to them directly and said,
“I ask you to look at your own conscience and morality (regarding climate change). Someone has to stand up and make a change.”
