Just Stop Oil: A couple guilty of damaging the frame of a painting by Van Gogh

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Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been found guilty of causing criminal damage to the frame of a Vincent Van Gogh painting after sticking to it.

Louis McKechnie, 22, and Emily Brocklebank, 23, caused around £2,000 damage to the frame of Peach Trees In Blossom at the Courtauld Gallery in London.

McKechnie was jailed for three weeks while Brocklebank received a suspended sentence.

She had said, "I didn't think I would cause much damage. The glue is peeling."

There have been several similar protests by climate activists in recent weeks.

District Judge Neeta Minhas said the damage caused was "substantial".

Delivering her verdict at Westminster Magistrates' Court, she said: "An 18th century frame that is hundreds of years old has been permanently damaged. It is not in a state where it can return to its original state."

She told the court that the painting had "historical significance and artistic value" and the damage to its setting was "not minor, insignificant, temporary or insignificant".

S' Addressing the defendants, District Judge Minhas said, "I find...