A man allegedly climbed onto the roof of York Minster and caused £19,000 of damage to a spire.
Joshua Webster, 31, is alleged to have climbed up scaffolding to get onto the roof, before allegedly kicking at the pinnacle of the South West Buttress.
He appeared at York Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday) when he pleaded not guilty to causing £19,000 of damage to the spire.
Prosecutor Kelly Sherif said the incident occurred on 24 November last year when Webster, of Langdale Avenue, York, allegedly climbed over barriers surrounding the Minster during a period of renovation at the cathedral.
He was then alleged to have climbed up scaffolding onto the roof, where he allegedly started kicking at the spire and renovated pieces of stone.
There was a huge response by emergency services to the incident, which was brought to an end at 3am.
Emily Calman, mitigating, said Webster denied causing any damage to the building. District judge Adrian Lower said the case should be heard at the Crown Court.
He granted Webster unconditional bail until his appearance at York Crown Court on 25 July.
[tptn_list limit=3 daily=1 hour_range=1]