Group accused of vandalising Trump's Scottish golf course get trial date

A date has been set for the trial of a group of people charged with maliciously damaging the Turnberry golf course, which belongs to US President Donald Trump, in an offence which allegedly has a “terrorist connection”.

On 8 March 2025, police were called to the 5-star golf club on Maidens Road in Turnberry, in the Scottish council area of South Ayrshire.

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

None of the accused appeared in person.

All seven of the alleged offenders were claimed to have damaged property at the hotel and resort by “maliciously” digging up turf along the golf courses, spraying Glyphosate (a herbicide) or a similar substance on the fairways and greens, and spraying paint on a building and signpost.

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 7 and 8 March 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 instructions from him.

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