Just Stop Oil protesters avoid jail after 'publicity' stunt to spray Taylor Swift's plane

However, the two ended up spraying two planes belonging to an insurance firm and an investment group.

Sentencing the pair at Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Alexander Mills said: "I've no doubt the reason you switched to the other jets was because you had been spotted."

He added that an aircraft refueller had "described you seemingly being triggered into action" after he honked the horn of his vehicle.

The protesters had been found guilty of criminal damage at an earlier trial at the same court and were sentenced on Monday.

Kowalski, of Dumbarton, had previous convictions over protests in Scotland and was given five months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Macdonald, of Brighton, received six weeks, suspended for eight months.

The judge noted Macdonald's autism and said Kowalski's actions were "affected by your neurodivergence".

He told the defendants: "The actions of the two of you were all about publicity - both for Just Stop Oil and yourselves.

"What greater publicity could there be than anything related to Taylor Swift? That's what you hoped to achieve."

The duo, both of whom had brought a large bag to court in case they were sent to prison, hugged in the dock after receiving their sentences.

Kowalski was ordered to complete up to 30 programme requirement days during her suspended sentence and was fined £480.

Macdonald must complete up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity.

Both defendants were also excluded from Stansted Airport, unless they have a valid ticket to travel, for the duration of their suspended sentences.

During their trial, the court heard that the duo breached the airport's perimeter fence with an angle grinder.

They then filmed themselves taking turns spraying two planes with paint from fire extinguishers.

Laura O'Brien, for Kowalski, said her client had a "conscientious motive" and by acting in an area of the airport reserved for private aviation, the protest was "intended to have a minimal impact on the public".

She added: "This wasn't about grounding commercial flights, this wasn't about stopping people going on holidays, it was about taking a message to a symbol of the climate crisis."

Rebecca Martin, for Macdonald, said that "any activism she takes part in in future she intends to be entirely lawful".

She added that Macdonald's 11 days in custody after her arrest and on a curfew after bail had been "very salutary".

David Barr, prosecuting, said invoices revealed the direct cost of cleaning the two aircraft was £12,576.

A further £24,000 was spent consulting with engineers in order to select the right chemical to use to remove the substance.

An additional cost of £19,234 was incurred to fix the perimeter fence, although the defendants did not face a further charge of criminal damage for this.

Groups of supporters waited outside the court during the sentencing hearing after they were refused access by security staff.