A vegan activist has been accused of causing up to £100,000 worth of damage to the luxury Fortnum and Mason department store in central London using bottled milk.
Representatives of the elite store said that the incredibly expensive damage was done to a carpet on an upper floor over the building after two activists poured milk all over it.
A court heard that Stephen Bone, 40, stole £38 worth of milk and poured it onto the carpet of the luxury central London store on October 7.
The protestor, believed to be a member of Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, was arrested with another protestor who will appear in court on a different date.
Prosecutor Penny Ferguson said: “At 11:30 in the morning, the defendant and a female were seen on the lower-ground floor.
“They took a basket, each filled with 20 bottles of milk, carried it up to the floor above and emptied the bottles on the carpet between the aisles displaying goods.
“Once the bottles were emptied, both parties left the store and the police were called. The carpet was re-laid a year ago at a cost of £100,000.”
The store said they may have to replace the entire carpet if they cannot replace the damaged section.
Ms Ferguson added: “They say, if the particular part of the carpet can be replaced it could be in excess of £5,000.
“If, however, they can’t find a match then the whole of the flooring will need to be replaced and will cost over £100,000.”
Bone, a father from Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, is also alleged to have poured milk on the floor of Selfridges during the same morning, causing £273 worth of damage.
At Highbury Magistrates’ Court he pleaded not guilty to two charges of causing criminal damage and two charges of theft and will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on November 7.
Bone, who is on Universal Credit and has a six-year-old child, was granted bail on the condition he lives and sleeps at his address and does not enter the two stores.
Wearing a dark blue jacket and white t-shirt, he waved and blew a kiss to his three supporters in the public gallery as he was led out of the docks.
