Leeds man to stand trial accused of vandalising Trump golf course
The trial is set to take place in 2028
A man from Leeds is part of a group of people who will stand trial over alleged vandalism at President Donald Trump’s golf course in Scotland.
Police were called to the five-star Trump Turnberry course on Maidens Road, Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on March 8 last year.
Uzma Bashir, 56, of Leeds, is one of seven people who have been charged with maliciously damaging the sports facility. He also faces an additional charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
A man from Wakefield is also set to stand trial, while five more from the UK have also been charged.
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.
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”.
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 (October 28).
None of the accused were present.
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.