A man has admitted throwing red paint over the Israeli embassy on Armistice Day.

John Harvey, 75, of Pamela Street, Hackney, was arrested at the scene after throwing red paint towards the building at around 9.15am on November 11.

The pensioner had brought the tin of paint to the front gate of the embassy in a carrier bag.

He then aimed the tin towards the building, covering the gate, floor and himself.

Harvey was charged with criminal damage, which he pleaded guilty to at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 13.

Investigating officer PC Kat Lloyd said: “Any incident of this nature is distressing for people to witness, and it is unacceptable that the embassy was deliberately damaged in this way.

“At no point did Harvey gain entry to the embassy grounds during the incident, and he was dealt with swiftly at the scene by officers.

“This was a targeted act of criminal damage and now Harvey has admitted his guilt, we await sentencing.”

Harvey was released on court bail and will appear for sentencing at the same court on December 14.