Five convicted and sentenced for disrupting Les Misérables performance

Five people have been convicted of aggravated trespass after a Les Misérables performance at the Sondheim Theatre in central London was disrupted by protesters.

The performance on the evening of Wednesday, 4 October was halted at around 21:00hrs after a group of people entered the stage area.

Police were called and local officers were quickly on scene. Five people were arrested and later charged.

They were found guilty of aggravated trespass at Westminster Magistrates on 19 April 2024. [B] and [D] were further found guilty of criminal damage.

They were sentenced at the same court on 6 June 2024 as follows:

[A] Hannah Taylor, 23 (26.07.00), of Longcroft Road, Dronfield Woodhouse - Community Order 12 months. 15-days rehabilitation activity requirement. 100 hours unpaid. £279 costs. £114 victim surcharge.
[B] Lydia Gribbin, 28 (04.08.95), of Sydenham Lane, Cotham, Bristol - Community Order 12 months. 10-days rehabilitation activity requirement. 100 hours unpaid. £279 costs. £114 victim surcharge.
[C] Hanan Ameur, 22 (31.03.01), of Hornsey Road, N7 - Community Order 12-months. 15-days rehabilitation activity requirement. 80 hours unpaid work. £279 costs. £114 victim surcharge.
[D] Noah Crane, 18 (26.02.05), of Aylsham Road, Buxton - Community Order 12 months. 130 hours unpaid work. £279 costs. £114 victim surcharge.
[E] Poppy Bliss, 19 (31.01.04), of School Lane, Thurston - Community Order 12 months. 10-days rehabilitation activity requirement. 80-hours unpaid work. £279 costs. £114 victim surcharge.

Detective Superintendent Sian Thomas, investigating, said: “The people in the audience on that evening had spent their hard-earned money and were entitled to enjoy an evening out before the disruptive actions of these people ruined it.

“We have been clear time and again that while we will always respect peaceful protest, when there is clear criminality – as is the case here – then we will make arrests and seek to prosecute those responsible.”