Cook statue vandalism ‘for indigenous people’

AN Australian-Maltese national who admitted spray-painting a statue of British explorer Captain James Cook wanted to “stand up for indigenous people”, a court heard.

Matthew Cardwell, 31, of Boundary Road in Barking, east London, received an £80 fine after he pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage in relation to the incident on June 13, which took place during anti-racism protests in central London.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the defendant spray-painted “no pride in” in black capital letters on the statue, which is located near Admiralty Arch in Westminster.

The defendant, who gave his nationality as Australian-Maltese, told the court he had intended to spray “genocide” after the words as he “feels strongly” for indigenous rights. Prosecutor Suleman Hussain told the court that, shortly after 11pm on June 13, police were driving along the Mall when they saw the defendant spray-painting the stone plinth of the bronze statue.

The defendant put the can down after spotting the officers but following a search was found to be in possession of three cans of spray paint.

He was subsequently arrested and taken to a police station, where he made “full and frank admissions”, Mr Hussain said.

During his interview with police, Cardwell told officers: “I wanted to make a political statement and make people think if its (the statue’s) place is necessary.

“I understand vandalism is not the right thing to do and I feel I should not have done this because I wasted the time of police.”

The defendant, who represented himself and appeared in the dock in jeans and a T-shirt, referred to the “damage that has been done to Australia”.

“I stood up for indigenous people in some way shape or form over here,” he told the court.

“I do feel very strongly and I think that my actions are something that I’m proud to have done. That’s all I can say.”

Acknowledging his guilty plea and remorse in the police interview, chair of the bench Margaret-Anne Orgill fined Cardwell £80.

He was also instructed to pay a victim surcharge of £34 and court costs of £85 alongside the fine, totalling £199.