Students in court after Exeter graduation protest

A protest took place at the University of Exeter on Monday

Two University of Exeter students have appeared in court after a protest at a graduation ceremony.

Edred Whittingham, 25, from Norwich, was charged with two counts of criminal damage and breach of bail conditions.

Kostja Junglas, 27, from Oxford, was charged with breaching bail conditions.

The protest took place just after 13:00 BST on Monday and was later claimed to be action by British environmental activist group Just Stop Oil.

At Exeter Magistrates' Court Mr Whittingham was remanded in custody after denying two charges of criminal damage but admitted breaching bail conditions.

Ms Junglas was re-bailed after an earlier bail expired and is due to appear in court in London in August.

Mr Whittingham was arrested after orange paint was allegedly sprayed from a fire extinguisher on steps at the university, district judge Stuart Smith heard.

He pleaded not guilty to causing criminal damage to a concrete floor during the ceremony.

He also denied damaging the clothing and boots of a security guard to the value of £221.

But he admitted breaching a bail condition which banned him from possessing a device that could discharge paint.

He is due in court later this week and a trial date has been set for August.

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