Just Stop Oil duo deny Tesla robot criminal damage

Liquid latex was poured over a robot at a Tesla store in west London on 12 March

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have denied criminal damage after liquid latex was poured over a robot at a Tesla store in west London.

Nigel Fleming, 63, and Catherine Nash, 74, were both charged with causing £2,696.40 in criminal damage after the incident at the Westfield Tesla store in Shepherd's Bush on 12 March.

Mr Fleming, of Worcester Crescent, London, was self-represented and pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Ms Nash, of Castle Green Close, Kendal, Cumbria, who is also representing herself, appeared via video link, having pleaded not guilty at a previous hearing.

Mr Fleming said it was accepted that the pair carried out the action but they had a "lawful excuse".

He also told the court that the value of the damage was less than that alleged.

Mr Fleming said: "We were very careful to try and make it so that the mannequin was not damaged, so I'm very surprised that there was damage to anything."

The prosecution will give evidence on the value of the damage and that can be challenged, District Judge John Zani said.

Mr Fleming told the court that the action had been taken to "draw attention to issues such as climate change".

The charges allege that "without lawful excuse" they "intended to destroy or damage" the Optimus robot belonging to Tesla "or were reckless as to whether that would happen".

Both defendants were granted conditional bail until their trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 24 September.