Climate Change Protester Fined For Spray-Painting War Memorial

A climate change protester has been ordered to pay £750 as punishment for spray-painting a war memorial in central London honouring the work of women during the Second World War

Joseph O'Malley wrote the word "mother" on the seven-metre (23ft) tall bronze sculpture during an Extinction Rebellion demonstration through Whitehall last November, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

The Monument to the Women of World War Two, near Downing Street and the Cenotaph, commemorates the work done by millions of British women who signed up for the armed services and in factories to bolster the war effort.

Mr O'Malley, 33, was found guilty of criminal damage to property under £5,000 in his absence earlier this year, the court heard.

District Judge Richard Blake said: "It wasn't protest, it was just vandalism.

"The manner in which you attacked this memorial was a senseless expression of the word 'mother'.

"I fail to see how defacing a significant monument which recognises the role of women in our society, for too many decades overlooked, in overcoming the tyranny of Nazism, how defacing this memorial can in any way further the cause of those who seek to bring to our attention concerns about climate change," the judge continued.

The judge ordered Mr O'Malley, of Manor Way, Ruislip, to pay a £500 fine, a £50 victim surcharge, and £200 costs - a total of £750.

The judge told Mr O'Malley, who is currently without a job: "There's no reason I'm told you could not get employment. You're going to need to find some work to pay this off."

The monument was unveiled by the Queen in 2005, 60 years on from the end of the conflict which scarred Europe.

Designed by John Mills, it depicts the hung-up uniforms and working clothes of female munitions workers and servicewomen.

Defending, Chantel Gaber said: "His intention wasn't to damage that memorial. It wasn't intended to cause offence.

"It was impulsive during the march. There was no long-term damage.

"The damage was temporary and minimal."