A trio of pro-Palestine activists have been found guilty of vandalising Hove MP Peter Kyle’s constituency office.
Helen Skilton, 64, Margaret Clifford, 61, and Mary Stuart, 66, daubed “Stop Arming Israel” and “Stop Killing Children” on the window of Mr Kyle’s offices in Church Road, Hove.
They were found by police just minutes later, still carrying a step ladder, marker pens, face masks and gloves, as well as the can of varnish they had used to spray over the slogans to make them harder to remove.
However, they denied subsequent charges of criminal damage, arguing both that the words could easily be wiped off and that they were written as a protest.
However, district judge Amanda Kelly found the damage, while not extensive was significant enough to constitute criminal damage.
She also said that because the damage was not trivial, and was to private property, the trio did not have a lawful excuse based on it being a protest.
In her judgement, published on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website, she said: “Mr Kyle also expressed in his evidence the significant impact that the graffiti had on him personally, explaining that he was shocked and distressed by the words written and the inferences that could be drawn from them.
“He said that he was also concerned about the safety implications they may cause to himself and his staff.”
Skilton, of Hartington Road, Brighton, Clifford, of Kingsway, Hove, and Stuart, of Wilbury Road, Hove, were all given six month conditional discharges, and ordered them to pay a statutory surcharge of £26 and court costs of £200.
Speaking after the verdict, Clifford said: “I have spent my entire life protecting children. I am a social worker, and I get so upset when I see all these images of children being brutally blown apart or burnt to death.
“If we manage to save just one life or prevent our government from being complicit in a genocide, it will all be worthwhile.”
Skilton said: “As a science teacher you are completely accountable for whatever goes on in a classroom, it is my responsibility to keep everyone safe.
“Yet this government is selling arms to a country that is killing thousands of children, 16,600 and counting.”
Stuart said: “Peter Kyle is our local MP, the Minister for Science Technology and Innovation, he is on the front bench, as well as being the vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel, so in a position of influence and power.
“We are three women compelled to make our voices heard and our government to hear us.
“We now have criminal records but who really are the criminals, history will tell.”
Quote from article: “As a science teacher you are completely accountable for whatever goes on in a classroom, it is my responsibility to keep everyone safe.”
So why are you protesting about just one side? Just saying that Israel shouldn’t have weapons but, presumably, HAMAS can? Why are you not saying, remove weapons or calling for peace? Why are you not asking for the return of the Israeli hostages? I don’t understand the bias – and why you claim to be trying to keep everyone safe, yet protest in apparent support of only one side.
Nick, we know full well why.
How distasteful as to what these three individuals have done & rightfully, now have criminal records.
So what have these individuals done for other more pressing issues in the Middle East?
What about Sudan ? Over 2 million killed. I suppose as it doesn’t involve Jews – there is no interest.
What about marches and flag waving for the over 500,000 people killed in Syria – guess what it didn’t involve any Jews – no interest then.
How about all the so caring pro Pals marching to stop the horrific killings & man made starvation now occurring in Yemen where over 1 million people killed and over 2 million kids have starved to death already – it doesn’t involve Jews – once again, I suspect no interest.
Christian’s have 98 countries that are mainly Christian and Muslims have 58 countries that are mainly Muslim. So why shouldn’t Jewish people have one (tiny) country for themselves that is mainly although not exclusively Jewish !
Whilst terrorists look to kill indiscriminately as many civilians as possible, Israel has done the exact opposite. It had very carefully targeted the terrorists, yes civilians get killed in all wars and occasionally mistakes get made. Many of the people in the IDF are 18 & 19 yr old boys and girls who have recently left university and are looking forward to careers in medicine or technology or finance etc they are not career soldiers but they have to fight for their country in compulsory conscription. However there is zero intent to harm civilians. Last year the previous deputy commander of NATO visited Gaza so he could observe what was happening in the ground. The NATO commander admitted he went to Gaza somewhat sceptical based on what he had heard in the BBC and read in the Guardian ! However after spending some time there he said the terrain that the IDF were having to engaged Hamas and Islamic jihad fighters in was the most difficult he had seen because the area was so small and there were so many underground tunnels. He was satisfied that the IDF were taking all reasonable precautions to protect civilian lives whilst having to go after the terrorists.
I wonder what these three criminal individuals did on Oct 7th ? I bet nothing .
Israel is on the front line of democracy and all liberal westerners should be supporting this nation.
As for the school teacher with a criminal record, if I were a parent at her school I wouldn’t want her anywhere near my child. I hope the school feels likewise in moving forward.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments!!
Read the UN convention on genocide and you will see that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
Or read works by Raphael Lemkin, the creator of the word genocide.
In Raphael Lemkin’s Axis Rule in Europe, written in 1944, he describes how the Germans, by controlling food distribution, were slowly starving populations across Europe. Slowly! But nevertheless deadly.
If nothing changes, then two million innocent people are at risk of death by starvation or thirst.
Something has to change.
In both the Bosnian genocide and Rwandan genocide, the perpetrators of genocide claimed they were fighting terrorists and could point to genuine terrorist atrocities.
What happened on the 7th October 2023 was a terrible terrorist atrocity. But when Israeli settlers were carrying out pogroms against Palestinians in the West Bank earlier that summer, were you speaking out? I wonder?
When the IDF murdered 150 Gazan protestors in 2018, injuring 10,000, including snipers deliberately targeting medics, were you speaking out? I wonder?
Agree with Roberts comments
Sickened by Cllr Lyons Jill Carrj & Patcham Guy moments peddling old and new play book to cover horrors committed
A reminder of who Ivan Lyons is:
https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2019/03/28/hove-tory-candidate-quits-over-islamophobic-jokes/
A Conservative candidate standing in May’s city council elections has resigned from the party after a series of offensive jokes came to light.
Mr Lyons, who was set to contest Westbourne ward, posted jokes in a Facebook group called the Society for the Preservation of Old Jokes between 2012 and 2016.
One joked about telling a suicidal Muslim man to “stay on the line” when calling the Samaritans from a railway track.
Another talked about being frightened of women wearing Burkas and “Muslims, angry bearded types” while on a trip to Afghanistan – with the payoff being that this “scary hell hole” was actually Hounslow.
Well said Ivan. These people don’t have a clue.
Absolutely spot on. Well said.
As a sitting ward councillor, Cllr Lyons should be held to a higher standard than this inflammatory and divisive comment demonstrates. Instead of engaging with the substance of the activists’ concerns, whether or not one agrees with their actions, he has chosen to deflect, misrepresent, and demonise.
Cllr Lyons resorts to whataboutism by invoking other global conflicts not to raise awareness, but to dismiss legitimate criticism of Israeli state policy. This is not only unhelpful, it is intellectually dishonest. His claim that people only speak out when “Jews are involved” is not only factually incorrect but deeply irresponsible, as it dangerously conflates criticism of a government with prejudice against a people.
He goes on to present Israel’s military actions as faultless, ignoring extensive evidence from UN bodies, humanitarian agencies, and international law experts about the civilian impact of repeated bombing campaigns in Gaza. Reducing Palestinian suffering to a footnote or a talking point is unacceptable, particularly when coming from an elected representative.
Most concerning is his personal attack on a teacher who now has a criminal record following an act of political protest. Implying that she is a danger to children without any basis is a reckless and defamatory insinuation. Cllr Lyons knows better, or should.
This type of rhetoric damages our political discourse and degrades public trust. Brighton & Hove deserves councillors who argue with facts, respect their opponents, and uphold the standards of public office. This comment falls well short on all counts.
You say we should hold councillors to a higher standard. I agree. I also think that teachers should be held to a higher standard too. My question about this teacher in the earlier comment was about their claim to be for “everyone”, yet just protesting about one side. No criticism of hamas reported, no call for hostage return on the signs and only calling for weapon supply to stop to one side. I agree that some of Israel’s actions have been wrong, but so too have hamas and others. Why not protest for the end of the conflict?
Early criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza on the whole was prefixed with criticism of Hamas and a call for a release of hostages but appeared to make no difference to the Uk government and at time and Mp’s like Peter Kyle blocked calls for a cease fire.
I can not speak for the teacher but I find it frustrating that the government says it is horrified by what has happen in Gaza and is doing all it can to stop it. Where has the government actions are quick to stop money to aid in Gaza at the request of Israel continues to stop debate in parliament for a crease fire and provides intelligence and ever increasing arms to Israel. Actions feel contradictory to the government’s words. My feels I hope are humanitarian and it goes without saying condemns Hamas and safe release to of all hostages so is now dropped in criticism of the Israeli Gaza conflict . I do my wish that the Uk played a stronger role in ending this conflict and did not support Israel with weapons and diplomatic support.
Nick I would hope you too hold the Israel government actions for ‘everyone’ to bring home hostages and end the conflict to the same higher standard you ask of this teacher.
why should any people be allowed to have a country guilty of apartheid, condoning violence on an occupied population, and being in breach of international law?
Why should any people/nation be guilty of apartheid, condoning violence on an occupied population, and being in breach of international law?
Very well said. These people, and those like them, are an absolute disgrace. Their actions are one thing, and one thing only, anti semitic.
I cannot see any connection between the civil wars in the three countries listed, and the occupation of one nation by another and the subsequent policy of genocide by the occupier.
The protesters were protesting about the policies of the State of Israel and the UK’s support of that State. You have chosen the well practiced tactic of obfuscation by making reference to the Jewish religion.
I wonder if your antipathy for teachers relates to the failure of your English teacher to teach you the correct use of apostrophes.
“Occasionally mistakes are made”? Genocide of Paleatinians is not a mistake, it is a deliberate war crime.
I agree wholeheartedly with Ivan’s observations. Where was their concern of the multiple murders and brutality carried out on October 7th. Anti semitism is creeping out from so many places. Where is their concern of sympathy for the atrocities and murders carried out elsewhere. It is people like them trying to distort the minds of innocent children
I quite agree Hamas started the killing and now they could easily end it. Use a bit of common. Personally I think Israel should just go in and take over the Gaza strip so it can be governed humanely and democratically. The facts are completely ignored by the looney left.
I think you will find that Israel has been killing Palestinians since the 1950’s.
There seems to be a belief by Palestine activists that they have the moral right to cause damage and violence with impunity. They do not.
What exactly do these sanctimonious people think they are achieving? Do they think Bibi will listen because they vandalised a Hove MPs office?
It’s funny how these Palestine obsessives have been outspoken in condemning Hamas, despite the fact they ruled Gaza using terror.
The belief is historic, though I disagree was violent, and with out impunity has they have been to court and due process follow.
I Believe in the past people Helen, Margret and Mary would have protested again apartheid in South Africa and supported then terrorist Nelson Mandela. Further back in history would have supported the suffragette movement. All of which thankfully did achieve something, though I’m sure these actions where also call sanctimonious and obsesses by people like your self and defended by politicians and councillors
History will tell.
2.1 million Palestinians, muslims and Christians live and vote in Israel, that’s 21% of the population. Does that tell us something? Incidentally they all want to live peacefully as well. We can’t say that about any of these terrorist groups ruining their countries and killing their own people. Look at Iran now.
I am appalled and disgusted at some of the comments posted here. I know these women personally and they are some of the most wonderful people I know, whose courage in standing up for justice I truly admire and who have fought for justice and the good of society all of their adult lives. They are exactly the kind of people I would consider my children extremely lucky to have been taught by. They have put to shame a system that criminalises actions that have harmed no one; they have put their lives and careers on the line in an effort to bring the public’s attention to one of the most shameful acts committed by human beings in modern times: slaughter, starvation, ethnic cleansing, genocide that is being committed against an entire people – all condoned and heavily supported by the current Labour government. Yet this judge has chosen to shame them, treat them as the criminals.
Shame on the petty disparaging comments by some readers of the above article, shame on the judge for her lack of perspective and of course, shame on Mr. Peter Kyle for refusing to give these women an audience, and claiming to have been ‘intimidated’ by them.
Shame on you Ellen for supporting three convicted felons, yes guilty and the judge was quite right in finding them guilty, I think the fines should have been more severe and the three of them should be made to watch the video of the atrocities carried out by the people of Gaza
They’ve been treated like criminals because they are criminals.
I’m sure the racist rioters jailed last year also believed that their cause was righteousness and justified.
You don’t get to vandalise stuff just because you think have some moral high ground.
Your arguments are contradictory. You state that someone says they are intimidated by their actions, yet also claim they have hurt no one. How does that work! You seem to be dismissing the views of a victim, while claiming to stand up for victims!
I think actions like this harm any cause. It includes extreme claims and statements like you make of deliberate starvation, ethnic cleansing and genocide. These exaggerate the situation and make it easier to ignore ways to resolve. If the aim is to stave, why allow aid? If the aim is to kill the entire population then why not do it? They have the means. Indeed, Israel has repeatedly warned innocents to evacuate while legitimately targeting aggressors who hide among these innocents.
Yes, innocent civilians on both sides have died. We need to find a way to stop this. Your claims that we need actions like this vandalism to draw attention to this are wrong. This is well covered on the news! Vandalism and extreme protests (by to be proscribed groups) just divert attention away and make it seem like a niche group of nutters have concerns. I think that most of us have these too – but looking for solutions and understanding that there are two sides.
They are being treated as criminals because they committed a crime; even a child could no doubt understand this.
I hope they have declared their convictions with their relevant professional bodies.
Skilton said: “As a science teacher you are completely accountable for whatever goes on in a classroom, it is my responsibility to keep everyone safe”.
No, your job is to teach. Hopefully now you will lose your job, and you will no longer be able to brainwash impressionable children.
Saudi Arabia has been using military hardware, purchased from the UK to bomb Yemen back into the Stone Age for decades; why aren’t they protesting about that? Maybe it’s because they can’t blame the Juice for it…
Many people Campaign Against the Arms Trade amongst otheres have demonstrated against Saudi attcks on civilians in Yemen, and Britain and British Aerospace are complicit in those attacks as it provides personnel to maintain the jets involved and train pilots.
You’d think they’d be a bit more mature. I guess.age doesn’t always equal sense.
These protesters are calling our attention to the UK’s arms exports to Israel – while the UK government is being taken to the High Court over its export of weapons to Israel, despite ongoing violations of international law. The main allegation is that the UK Labour government is illegally selling arms to Israel. Against International Humanitarian law and against Its own legal advice. It is in the High court now waiting the conclusion of the Hearing, May 25
Our Labour UK Government is the real criminal here. Selling arms to Isreal despite it committing horrendous war crimes: killing thousands of women and children. We will get the verdict on how guilty they are from the High Court tomorrow.
The three were demanding that Peter Kyle and Labour stop arming Israel. This is not even a very radical demand. A coalition of charities have taken the government to court with very convincing arguments for why it should stop selling arms to Israel because of the risks of war crimes being committed. All relevant UN bodies, Human Rights organisations and international experts agree that Israelis committing war crimes. The government itself admitted that there were risks when they ban a few licenses. Also, many Israeli soldiers have been foolish enough to film themselves committing war crimes and post it on TiKTok. That’s why it has been so easy for UN bodies and human rights organisations to document these cases. They have given everyone the evidence. The names of many of them have been traced and now they are having trouble to visit many countries. One of them had to be smuggled out of Brazil because a case against him was introduced in the courts.
There also plenty of religious people
of all faith ( Buddhists, Quakers, Christians and Jewish ) asking for the government to stop arming Israel. There is Jews Against the Occupation in Brighton and Naamod. These three women have a strong moral compass and the courage to articulate what the majority of this country believes now, that Israel is committing war crimes and carrying out a genocide.
In relation to their demand for Peter Kyle to stand against children in Gaza being killed, I wonder why on earth would anybody think this is such a terrible ask. What would you expect a teacher to teach, then? That is right for children to be killed in mass in the way they are being killed in Gaza? I don’t want to even think what kind of society would we have if our teachers were to favour the indiscriminate killing of civilians, especially children.
Commit crime, be treated like a criminal.
That simple.