EXCLUSIVE: Stone of Destiny vandalism suspect returns to Perth court

Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, accused of 'malicious mischief,' has been released on bail following a hearing at the Sheriff Appeal Court.

A French writer accused of taking a hammer to the Stone of Destiny exhibit in Perth Museum has appeared in court more than six months after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Suspect, Arnaud Harixcalde Logan was charged with malicious mischief following chaotic scenes at the city centre museum on July 12 last year.

The 36-year-old, at the time living in Sydney, Australia, is accused of smashing open the glass case housing the historic Stone of Scone.

The centuries-old artefact, famously used in the coronation of Scottish kings, was not damaged.

In March, a warrant was issued for Logan’s arrest after Perth Sheriff Court heard police were unable to trace him.

Logan has now made a surprise re-appearance in the same court after making arrangements to return through his lawyer.

He was granted bail to an address in Edinburgh, despite efforts by the Crown to keep him locked up ahead of his trial.

Destiny Student

French-born Logan first appeared on petition two days after the alleged vandalism.

He was remanded for a week but was released on bail after a full committal hearing on July 23 2025.

He was due to return to court for a pre-trial hearing in March this year.

When he failed to appear, the hearing was continued for another week to establish whether indictment papers had been properly served on Logan and he knew to attend.

The court was told a police officer attended at Logan’s bail address in Edinburgh – an accommodation block in Murano Place named Destiny Student – on February 2.

But according to an email from the police officer’s bosses, “it was identified that the subject was not known at the address”.

The Home Office later confirmed Logan had travelled to Paris months earlier, on August 12 2025.

Sheriff Paul Brown granted a warrant for the accused’s arrest.

Bail appeal hearing

Logan appeared on petition at the court in Perth on Friday September 11.

He made no plea and was granted bail during the brief, private hearing but was remanded in custody after the sheriff’s decision was challenged by prosecutors.

Logan remained locked up over the weekend until a hearing at the Sheriff Appeal Court in Edinburgh on Monday.

The Crown’s motion to have Logan remanded was refused and he was released soon after.

A date for his next court appearance has not yet be scheduled.

The Stone of Destiny was brought to Perth in 2024 and was placed at the centrepiece of the city’s £27m museum.

It was in situ for about a year-and-a-half before the alleged incident forced the sudden closure of the display area.

The enclosure was locked for about three months before re-opening in October.

Culture Perth and Kinross confirmed that the 150kg sandstone block was not damaged.

For more local court content visit our page or join us on Facebook.