Pair deny Just Stop Oil snooker protest charges
The protest disrupted play at the World Snooker Championships last April
- Published
A student and a former museum worker have appeared in court after the World Snooker Championship was disrupted by a Just Stop Oil protest.
The first-round match at Sheffield's Crucible theatre between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry was interrupted by a man who clambered on the table and threw orange paint powder on 17 April 2023.
University student Edred Ilmari Heath Whittingham appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with criminal damage.
Margaret Reid, a former museum professional, appeared at the same court charged with attempting to cause criminal damage. They both pleaded not guilty.
Mr Whittingham and Ms Reid denied the charges at Sheffield Magistrates' Court
A woman was prevented from executing a similar stunt on the other table in play after being tackled by referee Olivier Marteel.
Mr Whittingham, 26, of May Street, Exeter, and Ms Reid, 53, of Low Fellside, Kendal, Cumbria, were given unconditional bail by District Judge Daniel Curtis until their trial on 10 May at the same court.