An Animal Rebellion eco-warrior is accused of causing up to £100,000 in damage after allegedly pouring milk onto the carpet of Fortnum & Mason in Kensington in the group’s latest protest.
Steve Bone gave the thumbs up to photographers as he left Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court where he is accused of targeting upmarket Selfridges on Friday along with Sofia Fernandes Pontes, 26.
The 40-year-old photographer from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal damage in relation to the alleged Fortnum & Mason incident on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutors told the court the alleged incident took place at 11.30am.
The court heard they each allegedly took a basket with 20 bottles of milk to a value of £38 and emptied their contents on to goods and the carpet at the store.
The cost of the damage to the carpet, which was laid a year ago, was said to be unknown at this stage but would exceed £5,000, while the estimated total cost should the entire carpet need replacing was £100,000, the court heard.
Bone also faces a charge of theft at the store as well one count of theft and one count of criminal damage in relation to the alleged incident a Selfridges.
He is accused of causing £273 of damage in that incident.
Bone, who is unemployed, was granted conditional bail not to visit the two stores and will appear at Southwark Crown Court on November 7.
Fernandes Pontes, 26, of Copenhagen Street, Islington, north London, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 7.
