Aristocrat accused of taking part in protest

The aristocrat granddaughter of a Perthshire estate owner has appeared in court accused of taking part in a pro-Palestinian protest in London.

Doone Stormonth Darling, 26, faces allegations that she and four others sprayed red paint at the door of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defence contractor’s office in the city’s Kingsway.

It is alleged that activists used fire extinguishers filled with paint to damage the entrance to the building in October last year.

Stormonth Darling’s family own an estate near Blairgowrie.

It was the backdrop for her 21st birthday party, which was featured in a photospread for glossy Tatler magazine.

Her grandfather was estate owner and former stockbroker and City regulator Robin Stormonth Darling, who died in 2009.

Stormonth Darling, Flora Thomas, 26, Joely Thomas, 29, Anthony Bardos, 56, and 25-yearold Jocelyn Cooney all face one count of criminal damage to “property and clothing” valued at under £5,000, and conspiracy to destroy or damage such property.

They all made no pleas during a brief appearance at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, the Daily Mail reported.

Stormonth Darling, whose address was listed as Lambeth, was granted bail on condition that she does not enter Kingsway, Holborn, ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing in Southwark Crown Court at the beginning of April.

Prosecutor Damla Ayas said: “Protest groups attended and occupied the roof of the factory building of Elbit.”