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The 42-year-old from Doncaster is a campaigner for
Fathers4Justice, an organisation that champions the cause of equal
parenting and contact for divorced parents with children. In June
2013, he was accused of spraying the word “Help” on the
portrait with a can of purple spray paint that he had smuggled into
the Abbey.
After appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he
was charged with criminal damage of more than £5,000, Mr.
Haries was tried at Southwark Crown Court, but the case was
adjourned till January. On Wednesday 8th of January the case was
reopened.
Mr. Haries chose to represent himself in court. He told jurors that
he had “nothing against the Queen”, and that he committed the
act to “highlight the social justice issue of our time.”
Photographs of the incident later appeared on the
Fathers4Justice Facebook page, where they received support from
many online users.
However, Haries was found guilty of vandalism and convicted. He has
been granted conditional bail until the 5th of February, after
which he will receive his sentence.
The portrait in question, called “The Coronation Theatre,
Westminster Abbey: A Portrait Of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II”,
is the work of Australian-born artist Ralph Heimans and cost
£160,000. It measures 9×11 feet, and depicts Her Majesty in the
Sacrarium, the site of her coronation in 1953, dressed in State
Dress and wearing the velvet Robe of State, also from her
coronation.
After initially being displayed in Australia, it was acquired by
Westminster Abbey as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and
was available for public viewing in the Chapter House at the Abbey.
After sustaining the damage, it will cost approximately £7,300
to restore.
Photo credit: wallyg via photopin]]>
