Four activists have denied causing criminal damage after custard and crumble were thrown at a display of the Crown Jewels. Fatima Ali, 19, Marian Cranch, 22, Mark Preston, 22, and Matthew Cooper, 60, all pleaded not guilty to criminal damage over the incident that took place on December 6 at the Tower of London.
Details of the Incident
The incident involved apple crumble and custard being smothered over a glass case housing the Crown Jewels. Footage shared by the group showed one demonstrator removing a large foil tray of crumble from a bag and slamming it against the glass protecting the Imperial State Crown. Another then sloshed a tub of bright yellow custard onto the front of the case.
After the act, the demonstrators opened their coats to reveal t-shirts emblazoned with 'Take Back Power' – a new protest group whose mantra is 'tax the rich to fix Britain'. One shouted: 'Britain is broken. We've come here to the jewels of the nation to take back power. Join us at takebackpower.net.'
Prosecution's Case
Prosecutor Tom Heslop told Westminster Magistrates Court that the defendants are accused of damaging items, including a glass case, brass handrail, and stone plinth, to the value of £600 during the stunt. The glass case targeted contains the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony and at formal occasions like the State Opening of Parliament. It was worn by King Charles at his coronation in 2023 and was seen atop Queen Elizabeth II's coffin during her lying-in-state and subsequent state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
Ali and Cranch also denied on Monday causing criminal damage to the uniform of a female guard at the tower, namely a cape and shoes, valued at £30.
Legal Proceedings
Ali, of Rhodeswell Road in Tower Hamlets; Cranch, of Trelawn Avenue in Leeds; Preston, of Westferry Circus in Tower Hamlets; and Cooper, of Oriel Gardens in Bath, were all released on unconditional bail by District Judge Daniel Sternberg. The four defendants are due to face trial at the City of London Magistrates' Court, starting on November 30.
Group's Statement
Following the dessert stunt at the Tower of London, the group previously said: 'Since 2011, the poorest 10 per cent of households have paid a combined tax rate of 44 per cent on their income and wealth gains, while the richest paid 22 per cent. Our political class, be it this government, Reform or Tory, serve the super-rich; they do not care about working people. That's why we must demand real democracy, with ordinary people at the heart of decision making, through a citizen-led assembly that has the power to tax the rich.'
