HS2 protester causes £7,319.94 of damage – no penalty

An HS2 protestor who used fire extinguishers to spray bright pink paint on the Department of Transport building has been spared jail.

Ramon Salgado-Tuzon, 57, took part in a direct-action protest against the rail link outside the Department of Transport building on Horseferry road, central London, on 10 February 2021.

Southwark Crown Court heard the former London mayoral candidate poured bright pink paint into fire extinguishers before spraying the front of the building, causing £7,319.94 in damage.

Salgado-Tuzon, of Camden, denied but was convicted of causing criminal damage to a property by a jury after a trial in July.

Appearing at court today (Weds) wearing a blue two-piece suit and black shirt Salgado-Tuzon spoke only to confirm his name and was handed a conditional discharge.

Judge Christopher Hehir said: ‘You are not being sentenced or convicted for your political views, that are, in my opinion, sincerely held.

‘But what our democratic system does not entitle people to do is take the law into their own hands, as you did, and commit crimes.

‘If the law permitted us all to take direct action and take the law into our own hands because people disagree about climate change or any other matters, we would all be going round breaking each other’s windows.

‘If you stay out of trouble and keep your nose clean for the next two years you will not be punished for this offence.’

Nicola Stickells, 53, appeared in court separately wearing a blue skirt and black top after she was convicted of criminal damage.

Judge Hehir adjourned her sentence until 13 November at Snaresbrook Crown Court.