Just Stop Oil Protesters Charged for Airport Damage

Two Just Stop Oil protesters, Cole Macdonald, 22, from Brighton and Jennifer Kowalski, 28, from Dumbarton, have appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court facing charges of criminal damage after allegedly spraying orange paint on two planes at Stansted Airport. The pair reportedly used angle grinders to breach an airport fence early on June 20 and then discharged fire extinguishers filled with paint onto the jets. Prosecutors estimate the cleanup costs at £52,000, although total damages including fence repairs and security enhancements are still being calculated. Both defendants, who are on conditional bail, have not yet entered pleas, with the case adjourned until August 15. They previously indicated not guilty pleas to charges of criminal damage and interfering with national infrastructure, along with aggravated trespass. Judge Christopher Morgan has advised them to return to court on the adjourned date, suggesting that acceptable guilty pleas could preserve their credit.