Man charged after hospice elephant sculpture damaged

A man has been charged after an elephant sculpture being displayed as part of an art trail was damaged.

Hidden Treasures by artist Millery Wheeler was installed by The Curve on William Street in Slough as part of the Trunks Across the Thames elephant sculpture trail for Thames Hospice in Maidenhead.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said Faisal Mohammed, 31, of Sumburgh Way, Slough, had been charged with criminal damage and outraging public decency.

He appeared before Slough magistrates on Monday and was released on bail ahead of his next appearance on 28 August.

The art trail opened on 13 July with more than 90 elephants installed across streets, parks and public spaces in Slough and Windsor.

TVP said the hospice's campaign raised "vital funds and awareness for the outstanding care and support they provide to people and families across our communities".

Thames Hospice said another sculpture, Ellie Pants in Windsor by artist Nicola Mills, was also damaged.

Staff became aware of damage on both of the artworks on 18 July and had since removed, repainted and brought them back.

"We have had a huge amount of support and are very grateful for the kindness," the hospice said.

It hopes the campaign encourages "more open conversations about death, dying and bereavement, challenge misconceptions about hospice care and help more people understand that hospice care is about quality of life".