Seven charged over Trump Turnberry vandalism face 'terrorist connection' allegation
Seven people accused of vandalising Trump's Turnberry golf resort have been charged with an offence alleged to carry a "terrorist connection", potentially lengthening any sentences.
Turnberry vandalism charges carry terrorism aggravation, Glasgow High Court indictment shows
Seven people accused of causing damage at Donald Trump's Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire have been charged with an offence said to carry a "terrorist connection", BBC News reports.
The allegation is set out in an indictment lodged with the High Court of Justiciary in Glasgow, relating to a protest that took place at the resort on 8 March 2025. Prosecutors cite Section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008, as amended by the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021, as the basis for the aggravation — a provision that can result in significantly extended sentences upon conviction, even where no separate terrorism charge is brought.
The accused — Kieran Robson, 35, Uzma Bashir, 56, Ricky Southall, 34, Autumn Taylor Ward, 22, Rebecca Sian Davies, 29, John Moxley, 58, and Dylan Chiaramello, 24 — face criminal damage charges following the protest. Prosecutors allege the group dug up turf and sprayed weedkiller on the course, caused flooding by tampering with a sprinkler system, and damaged a light. Slogans including "Free Gaza", "Free Palestine" and "Gaza is not for sale" were said to have been painted on buildings and the course itself, alongside messages directed at Trump.
The Defend Our Juries group has criticised the charging decision, arguing the accused could face "far longer prison sentences" despite not being prosecuted for terrorism offences.
The seven were due to appear at the High Court in Glasgow the following Monday, but the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed on Friday that the hearing had been adjourned; the next date is scheduled for October. Robson faces an additional allegation that he committed the offence while on bail, having been granted bail at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 9 January 2025.
The charges follow a precedent set in June, when four members of Palestine Action received extended custodial sentences after being convicted over a raid on a factory operated by Israeli defence company Elbit Systems. More than £1m of damage was caused during that incident; the judge found a terrorist connection applied.
Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the United Kingdom in July 2025. The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld that decision, ruling the group had "overtly promoted unlawful violence amounting to terrorism". The group's co-founder, Huda Ammori, is seeking permission to challenge the ban's implementation before the UK Supreme Court.
On Wednesday, the US government separately designated Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The Trump administration described the move as part of action against what it called "far-left extremists".
Human rights groups and supporters of those convicted in the Elbit Systems case criticised those sentences as disproportionate, a reaction likely to be repeated as the Turnberry proceedings develop.
Source: BBC News