ER protesters had their own fire engine

A group of Extinction Rebellion protestors used a fire engine to spray fake blood at the Treasury in Westminster, a court heard.

The activists bought the vehicle in Aylesbury, Bucks, before driving it to the government building in Horse Guards Road on 4 October 2019.

They sprayed hundreds of litres of red dye at the building causing £16,000 worth of damage, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Richard Garfitt-Mottram, 66, Molly Lipson, 29, Daniel Blackmore, 32, Liam Norton, 39, Cathy Eastburn, 56, and Joel Scott Halkes, 41, all deny conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Prosecutor James Keely told jurors at Southwark Crown Court: ‘On 3 October 2019 Extinction Rebelling held a protest at the treasury building in the heart of London.

‘A fire engine was used to spray red dye, which looked like blood, at, and onto, the treasury building.

‘Fortunately, those present and involved in the protest lost control of the fire hose thereby limiting the damage that was caused, however substantial damage was caused, and a subsequent cost was incurred in order to remedy and clean up what was done, which was over £16,000.’

The fire engine was driven by Mark Ovland, 40, who has admitted his involvement in the conspiracy.

Referring to CCTV footage of the incident Mr Keely told the court ‘We come to the spraying of the treasury building with the red dye … we see a fountain, don’t we, of red dye coming from the hose that Mr Ovland has in his hands onto the treasury building.

‘We see there has been spillage already onto the pavement and we can see that on the steps as well.

‘Soon enough the hose went out of control, it went out of control, and we can see it gushing red dye onto Horseguards Road.

‘Mr Norton is going stage left form the picture and Mr Garfitt-Mottram, so say the prosecution, is observing, and we have people still on top of the fire engine, that would include Ms Eastburn and Mr Ovland.

‘The defendants, along with Mr Ovland, the prosecution say, and with others, made an agreement, got their heads together, ‘conspired’ is the words on the indictment, and planned in order to create the damage that we’ve seen in front of our very eyes.

‘People play different parts in agreements, and the defendants, along with Mr Ovland contributed in different ways.

‘However, the prosecution say you can be sure the parts they did play, they played, and they were all in it, and all involved together.’

Garfitt-Mottram, of Hackney, Lipson, of Haringey, Blackmore, of Buckinghamshire, Norton, of Scarborough, Eastburn, of Lambeth, and Scott-Halkes, of Cornwall, deny conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Ovland, of Somerton, Somerset, has admitted the charge.

The trial continues and is due to last two weeks.