Man who vandalised Cook statue in London is fined £80

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

Matthew Cardwell, 31, of Boundary Road in Barking, 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.

Cardwell, who represented himself, referred to the “damage that has been done to Australia”.

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

“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.”

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

Cardwell, 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.

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

Acknowledging his guilty plea and remorse, chair of the bench Margaret-Anne Orgill fined Cardwell £80. He must pay a victim surcharge of £34 and court costs of £85.

Captain Cook was born in Marton in Yorkshire and worked in Whitby early in his career.