Man denies defacing Queen painting in Westminster Abbey

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24123198

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A man has denied defacing an oil painting of the Queen that was on display in Westminster Abbey.

Tim Haries, 42, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, is accused of smuggling in a can of spray paint in June and causing damage costing over £5,000 to repair.

The Fathers4Justice campaigner was given conditional bail when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court. He will face trial for criminal damage on 6 January.

The portrait had been unveiled for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The £160,000 painting by artist Ralph Heimans, entitled The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, depicts the Queen in state dress.

It went on display in the Chapter House in May.