Trial date set for group accused of vandalising Trump Turnberry golf course

A trial date has been set for a group of people charged with maliciously damaging US President Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in an offence with an alleged "terrorist connection".

Police were called to the five-star Trump Turnberry course on Maidens Road, Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on March 8 last year.

Lawyers representing Kieran Robson, 35, of Galashiels; Uzma Bashir, 56, of Leeds; Ricky Southall, 34, of Wakefield; Autumn Ward, 23, of Liverpool; Rebecca Sian Davies, 29; John Moxley, 58; and Dylan Chiaramello, 25, all of London, attended a virtual hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

None of the accused were present.

All seven are alleged to have damaged property at the hotel and resort by "maliciously" digging up turf on the golf courses, spraying Glyphosate or a similar substance on the fairways and greens, and spraying a building and signpost with paint.

Trump Turnberry was targeted in March last year (PA)

Prosecutors also allege they painted "political and offensive" slogans on the grass, scored a political slogan into the turf, and painted "political and offensive" slogans on the building, walls and pillars.

It is also alleged they damaged a sprinkler system causing flooding, and damaged a light.

The indictment says it will be proved the alleged offence was "aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection".

Robson, Bashir and Davies also face a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is alleged they drove to and from Trump Turnberry on March 7 and 8 last year in vehicles displaying false registration numbers to conceal their movements and avoid detection and arrest.

During the short hearing on Wednesday, pleas of not guilty were tendered on behalf of Robson, Bashir, Ward, Davies, Moxley and Chiaramello.

Mairi-Clare McMillan, representing Southall, told the court she had only recently taken on his case and she would need more time to take instruction from him.

Judge Lord Arthurson fixed a 15-day trial for February 14 2028, and a further preliminary hearing for March 15, 2027.

All seven accused remain on bail.

A pro-Palestine demonstration attended by a few dozen people was held outside the front of the court building while the hearing was taking place.

Some waved Palestine flags and there were a number of of banners on display, with one reading: "Yes it is a genocide".

Speakers also used a bullhorn to address the rally and lead pro-Palestine chants.

A number of police officers were stationed in the atrium of the court building while the demonstration took place outside and a police vehicle was parked around the corner.