Protester Admits Vandalizing Stone of Destiny Display at Edinburgh Castle

Joe Madden and two others targeted the historic artifact in a protest demanding reduced baby product prices and government-funded food hubs.

Joe Madden, 22, admitted to damaging the Stone of Destiny's display case at Edinburgh Castle during a protest on November 15, 2023.
The protest was organized by the group This is Rigged, which called for supermarkets to lower baby product prices and for the Scottish government to fund food hubs.
Madden used tools including a hammer, chisel, and spray paint to damage the display while a tour group was present in the crown jewels room.
Two other protesters, Jamie Priest and Catriona Roberts, were previously sentenced to unpaid work for their roles in the incident, which caused £2,798 in damage.
The Stone of Destiny, a symbol of Scottish and UK monarchy, has a storied history and was most recently used in the coronation of King Charles III.