Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rock star's son in Cenotaph case pleads ignorance

Brian Farmer,Cathy Gordon
Thursday 06 October 2011 00:00 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The son of Pink Floyd star David Gilmour did not realise he was swinging from the Cenotaph during university fees protests in London because he was intoxicated and was "brought up in the country... without a television", the Court of Appeal heard yesterday.

Charlie Gilmour, who was studying history at Cambridge University, was "aware there was a Cenotaph" and aware of "its significance," but did not realise the "monument from which he was swinging was a war memorial – let alone the Cenotaph," three judges were told.

David Spens QC told Lord Justice Hughes, Mr Justice Cranston and Mr Justice Hickinbottom this "was not actually as surprising as might have been thought" given Gilmour's background. The comments were made as Mr Spens urged the judges to reduce the 16-month sentence imposed on the 21-year-old in July for violent disorder after he went on the rampage in December 2010. The judges are expected to reserve their decision until next week.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in