ItisonA woman who squashed cake into a King Charles waxwork has avoided jail for vandalism at Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.
Eilidh McFadden, 23, and co-accused Orla Murphy, 23, spray painted political slogans on ornaments used at GlasGlow on October 29, 2022.
The offence took place a year before McFadden and Tom Johnson defaced the figure of King Charles at Madame Tussauds in London.
The climate change protestors smashed vegan chocolate cake and foam onto the waxwork which later had to be repainted and cleaned.
McFadden and Johnson were found guilty of criminal damage and ordered to pay £3,500 to the tourist attraction in January 2023.
McFadden and Murphy pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to maliciously spray painting on various items at the city’s Botanic Gardens.
The pair had earlier told the court that the vandalism was not political and was done as a joke while under the influence of alcohol.
However, Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said: “I am not stupid, I was able to read what the comments were.
“The comments were political and that is quite obvious.
“Whether it was or not, it caused an impact to the owners of the property and the community.”
Student McFadden, of Fort William, Scottish Highlands was tagged for 19 weeks keeping her indoors between 7pm and 7am.
Murphy, of Cork, Ireland, meantime was ordered to pay £1,800 in compensation.
The court earlier heard the GlasGlow event that year was themed “The Land That Time Forgot”.
The event organisers had brought in items such as volcanos and dinosaurs to the Botanic Gardens.
On the morning of the incident, a CCTV review took place which saw McFadden, of Fort William, Scottish Highlands, and Murphy, of Cork, Ireland, on the premises.
Prosecutor Sean Docherty said: “They sprayed graffiti on signs, dinosaur skulls and projector screens.
The slogans included, “F**** animal cruelty” and “Greta was here”.
The video of the vandalism was circulated on social media by the event organisers.
Mr Docherty stated that although the event was able to proceed, there was £8,000 worth of damages.
Both women were later traced by police and arrested.
Alison Miller, defending McFadden, told the sentencing: “This offence occurred when she had taken too much alcohol.
“She knows if this behaviour continues she will receive a custodial sentence.”
Peter Malone, defending Murphy, stated: “She described to the author of her background report that it was a silly incident to become involved in.
“There is a level of regret on her part.”
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