Vegan activist guilty over fake blood protest at McDonald's
A vegan activist who smeared fake blood over a McDonald's in Brighton has been convicted of criminal damage.
Dylan Roffey, 24, wore a pig's mask as she protested at the fast food restaurant on 18 May against the slaughter of animals.
She was one of about 20 protesters who "overwhelmed" security when they entered the premises holding signs and chanting through a megaphone.
Sentencing Roffey, Judge Kelly said: "Not withstanding the fact that the mixture was flour, water and food dye... the damage need not be permanent in order to be criminal.
"I am absolutely sure that Miss Roffey intended that damage.
"I find that Miss Roffey's purposes was to raise awareness and attract publicity for her cause but that these purposes are too far removed from providing the animals' immediate protection.
"I have a lot of respect for a young woman with strong principles which you clearly do but this is not the way to go about it."
Roffey was sentenced for an unrelated assault last week and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge added another 60 hours to that for the criminal damage offence.
She was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to McDonald's, costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £85.
Vegan activist guilty over fake blood protest at McDonald's
Dylan Roffey said she was not trying to damage anything when she protested at the restaurant against the "murder" of animals.
