Samuel Johnson, 41, and Patrick Hart, 38, both supporters of Just Stop Oil, have been acquitted of criminal damage charges related to their disruption of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final in May 2023. The pair had thrown orange corn starch powder paint on the pitch at Twickenham Stadium. The jury at Kingston Crown Court cleared them of the charges on Tuesday, citing that the prosecution failed to prove they intended to cause damage. The specific difficulty in cleaning the paint from Twickenham's hybrid pitch, a mix of natural and plastic grass, was a central point in the case. Both Johnson and Hart still face an aggravated trespass charge, which will be addressed later at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
Just Stop Oil Supporters Acquitted of Criminal Damage Charges in Rugby Final Pitch Disruption
Samuel Johnson and Patrick Hart, both supporters of Just Stop Oil, were cleared of criminal damage charges for throwing paint on the Twickenham Stadium pitch during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final. The prosecution failed to prove intent to cause damage, with the hybrid pitch's unique cleaning challenge being a key aspect of the case. The two men still face an aggravated trespass charge to be addressed in court.