Aristocrat got out of her BMW to vandalise Israeli offices

An aristocrat joined a group of Palestinian Action protesters who sprayed the London HQ of Israel’s largest arms firm with blood-red paint, a court heard.

Doone Stormonth-Darling, 28, jumped out of a dark BMW carrying buckets of paint as activists attacked the office of Elbit Systems on 10 October 2020.

Her family live on a vast estate in Perthshire and she was featured in upper class magazine Tatler when she held her 21st birthday party there.

Stormonth-Darling, Anthony Bardos, 58, Flora Thomas, 28, Joley Thomas, 31, and Jocelyn Cooney, 27, all deny conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Nathan Palmer, prosecuting, said: ‘On midday on Saturday 10 October 2020 there was a demonstration by Palestine Action, who support the Palestinian people and oppose the policies of the Israeli state in relation to the Palestinian people.’

‘The demonstration took place outside the headquarters of a company called Elbit which manufacture many items used by the Israeli armed forces.

‘At the same time a counter demonstration was taking place.

‘The police were notified of the demonstration and there were officers in attendance.

‘There was no violence between the two groups. All parties were behaving peacefully.

‘There were Covid restrictions in place, and the police spoke to the demonstrators about those regulations at the time.’

‘Just before 2pm, a dark BMW pulled up directly outside.

‘Three doors opened and four of its occupants rushed out.

‘Flora Thomas and Joley Thomas were armed with fire extinguishers containing red paint.

Stormonth-Darling and Cooney got out of the vehicle carrying buckets of paint, the court heard.

‘The defendants tried to use surprise, speed and force.

‘Much paint ended up on the pavement.

‘Paint from the fire extinguishers hit the front of the building.

‘It was a violent and chaotic scene.

‘The driver of the vehicle, Anthony Bardos, was also arrested.

The five defendants were taken to the police station and each made no comment.

Mr Palmer told jurors: ‘These five defendants agreed with each other to act together to cause criminal damage with red paint.

‘The defendants planned and prepared a high-speed attack to damage the building.

‘They were using tactics that were almost military, overpowering police and other protesters.

‘The attack was not planned as a peaceful expression of the defendants’ beliefs.

‘The target was property used by Elbit.

‘The prosecution say that the damage caused was more than trivial.’

Stormonth-Darling, of Oval Place, Lambeth, Flora Thomas, of Court Farm Barn, Frome, Somerset Joley Thomas, of Lynmouth Road, Edmonton, Bardos, of Conisboro Avenue, Reading, and Cooney, of Elliscombe Road, Charlton, all deny conspiracy to destroy property.

The trial continues.