Two Norfolk climate change protesters could face jail after being found guilty of criminal damage, for their part in smashing the windows of a bank as part of a demonstration.

Gabriella Ditton, 28, from Norwich, and Nicola Stickells, 52, from Harleston, were among a group of seven women to be convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Monday (December 5).

The women were found guilty by a jury on a majority of 11 to one after more than nine hours of deliberations.

Prosecutor Diana Wilson said the women could receive sentences ranging from community orders to 18 months in prison for their actions, which were associated with climate change campaign group Extinction Rebellion.

The protest took place on April 7, 2021, and saw almost £100,000 of damage caused to the London headquarters of Barclays bank.

The group spread out along the front of the building, in Canary Wharf, before using chisels and hammers to break the large glass panels that made up the exterior of the bank.

In her evidence, Ditton accused Barclays of “financing the destruction of everything that we know and love” and claimed it was “necessary” to break the bank’s windows to “sound an alarm”.

Also convicted were Carol Wood, 53, of Swansea, Sophie Cowen, 31, of Shaftesbury, Lucy Porter, 48, of Euston, London, Rosemary Webster, 64, of Dorchester, and Zoe Cohen, 52, of Lymm. All had denied the charges.

Besides Cowen, the six other women have previous convictions for either criminal damage, wilful obstruction of a highway, breaching directions imposed on public assemblies or a combination of the three offences.

Judge Milne KC said “all options” have to be considered before adjourning the sentencing to January 27 next year at the same court.

More than 20 supporters in the public gallery gave the defendants a standing ovation after the hearing ended.