Just Stop Oil Activists Deny 'Revenge' Soup Attack on Van Gogh Paintings

Three activists plead not guilty to criminal damage after targeting Van Gogh's Sunflowers following the jailing of two fellow protesters.

Stephen Simpson, Mary Somerville, and Phillipa Green are accused of throwing soup at two Van Gogh paintings at the National Gallery.
The incident occurred hours after two other Just Stop Oil activists were sentenced for a similar act of vandalism in October 2022.
Prosecutors claim the frames of the paintings suffered damage, with one frame valued between £10,000 and £20,000 requiring restoration.
Defense argues that no damage was done to the paintings themselves due to protective glass coverings.
The accused have been bailed under the condition they do not enter Greater London except for court appearances, with their next hearing scheduled for October 28.