Two climate change activists from the Just Stop Oil group have been found guilty of criminal damage following a dramatic protest at Stansted Airport, where they defaced private jets with bright orange paint.
The Stansted Airport Protest
Jennifer Kowalski, 28, and Cole Macdonald, 22, targeted the private airfield at the Essex airport in a bold demonstration against elite fossil fuel use. The court heard that the pair cut through a perimeter fence to gain access to the aircraft, which they then sprayed with paint.
Taylor Swift's Connection to the Incident
Prosecutors revealed that pop superstar Taylor Swift's private jet had, coincidentally, landed at the airport just hours before the protest took place. While the aircraft was present on the tarmac, the court confirmed it was not one of the two jets specifically targeted by the activists.
Courtroom Proceedings and Sentencing
At Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, the two protesters were convicted and handed sentences. Both were ordered to pay significant compensation for the damage caused and were given conditional discharges, avoiding immediate prison time.
The Activists' Motivation
In a statement following the verdict, the defendants stated their actions were a necessary response to the government's failure to address the climate crisis. They demanded an emergency plan to phase out the use of fossil fuels, highlighting the disproportionate environmental impact of private jet travel.
The case has reignited debates about protest methods and the urgency of climate action in the UK, putting the spotlight on the environmental cost of luxury air travel.
