G20 Spray-Painter's Fiery Message To Bankers

A G20 protestor who spray-painted ‘BURN’ on the Royal Bank of Scotland’s window as a small blaze was started inside during last year’s City of London demonstration has dodged jail.

Jobless Daniel Simmons, 18, of Selwyn Road, Cambridge, claimed he picked-up the can in frustration at police ‘kettling’ tactics during the violent protest.

“You don’t know how to deal with political issues in a mature and sensible way,” Isleworth Crown Court Recorder Nigel Rhodes told Simmons, who faced a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the bank’s glass window in Bartholomew Lane on April 1, last year and was conditionally discharged for twelve months.

A more serious charge of violent disorder against Simmons, who the prosecution originally claimed was seen kicking out at police lines, was withdrawn and a not guilty verdict entered.

Prosecutor Mr. Peter Lancaster told the court: “This relates to the demonstration on April 1 last year, the anti-G20 demonstration in the City of London (pictured).

“There were a lot of people demonstrating and in the afternoon it became more violent.

“An officer at the Royal Bank of Scotland saw the defendant trying to break a window of the building by kicking at the window with a spray can in his hand,” added Mr. Lancaster.

“He is seen to spray on the window ‘BURN’ and is seen on CCTV going back into the crowd.”

At the time demonstrators had started a small fire inside the building.

Simmons’ lawyer Mr. Sam Robinson said: “This defendant attended what was originally a peaceful protest.

“There was a kettling position taken by the police in Threadneedle Street as Mr. Simmons was outside the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“He had the spray can he had picked up off the floor and borne of frustration sprayed these letters on the Royal Bank of Scotland,” added the lawyer.

“He was arrested the next day when he was recognised attending a vigil for an unfortunate man who had died during the demonstration.”

The court made no order for costs or compensation against Simmons.