Galashiels man to stand trial over alleged vandalism at Donald Trump's golf resort
A 35-year-old man from Galashiels is among seven people due to stand trial over the alleged vandalism of US President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire.
Kieran Robson is accused, alongside six others, of causing “malicious mischief” during a protest at the five-star resort on March 8th last year.
Prosecutors claim the allegation will be proved in terms of section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.
It is said the charge is aggravated by having a “terrorist connection”.
The group - which also includes Uzma Bashir, 56, Ricky Southall, 34, Autumn Ward, 23, Rebecca Sian Davies, 29, John Moxley, 58, and Dylan Chiaramello, 25 - are accused of damaging property at the five star Ayrshire resort, digging up turf at its golf courses and spraying weed-killer on fairways and greens.
Political slogans were also allegedly painted or scored on the grass as well as on a building, walls and pillars.
The indictment states damage to a sprinkler system caused flooding and that a light was also broken.
Robson, Bashir and Davies face a separate charge of then attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is claimed they drove to Turnberry in vehicles with fake number plates.
After the alleged crime, the trio are said to have escaped in the same motors to “conceal and disguise” their movements in a bid to prevent being arrested for the vandalism.
Robson is stated to be on bail at the time from Edinburgh Sheriff Court on January 9th, 2025.
The case against all seven called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow this morning (Wednesday).
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Defence lawyers pled not guilty on their behalf other than Southall’s advocate who she said only became involved in the case this week.
Prosecutor John Keenan KC stated: “A trial has been identified for February 14th, 2028 in Glasgow for a period of 15 days.”
The hearing was also told that a “significant draft joint minute” of agreed evidence was under consideration.
The defence legal teams agreed the trial date could be set.
Lord Arthurson fixed the trial with a further hearing due to take place before then in March 2027.
Robson, who gave an address in the Scottish Borders, Bashir, of Leeds, Southall, of Wakefield, both Yorkshire, Ward, of Liverpool, Davies, Moxley and Chiaramello, all of London, remain on bail meantime.
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