Seven Charged Over Trump Turnberry Damage With Alleged Terrorist Connection

Seven people charged over alleged damage to Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire have been accused of malicious damage aggravated by an alleged “terrorist connection”, according to an indictment ahead of their scheduled court appearance on 31 August. The case relates to an action at the Trump Turnberry hotel and resort on Scotland’s west coast, where the clubhouse was graffitied and parts of the golf course were allegedly damaged in March last year.

Kieran Robson, 35, Uzma Bashir, 56, Ricky Southall, 34, Autumn Taylor Ward, 22, Rebecca Sian Davies, 29, John Moxley, 58, and Dylan Chiaramello, 24, have all been charged in connection with the incident. The allegations have not been proven in court.

The indictment alleges that those accused “did maliciously damage property” at Trump Turnberry. Prosecutors allege that turf was dug up across the golf course and that glyphosate, a weed killer, or a similar substance was sprayed on fairways and greens.

Further allegations include paint being sprayed on a building and signpost, political and offensive slogans being painted on grass and scored into turf, and slogans being painted on the resort’s building, walls and pillars.

The indictment also alleges damage to a sprinkler system, resulting in flooding, as well as damage to a light.

Among the messages reported at the scene was the slogan “Gaza is not 4 sale”, painted across parts of the course during the action on 8 March last year.

Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that the wording of the indictment means the court will also be asked to consider the prosecution allegation that the alleged offence was aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection. The inclusion of that allegation does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the charges will be subject to the normal criminal court process.

All seven defendants are due to appear in court on 31 August in connection with the case. The prosecution will be required to establish its allegations through the legal process, while each defendant is entitled to challenge the charges.

The case has attracted particular attention because of the location involved. Trump Turnberry is one of Scotland’s best-known luxury golf resorts and is closely associated with Donald Trump, the US president, who purchased the property in 2014 and subsequently placed his name on the resort.

The scale of the alleged damage and the additional allegation of a terrorist connection have placed the case under heightened public scrutiny. However, Daily Dazzling Dawn notes that no verdict has been reached and the defendants remain subject to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.

The alleged incident was also discussed at a meeting held days later between Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s son.

A note of the meeting on 13 March last year recorded concern about the recent incident at the Trump Turnberry property. It condemned the damage caused by the vandalism and offered reassurance that the relevant authorities would continue to treat the matter seriously.

The episode came against a backdrop of international political tension surrounding the conflict in Gaza and renewed protests connected to the region. The slogan reportedly painted at the resort linked the action to those wider political concerns, although the precise circumstances and legal significance of the allegations will ultimately be matters for the court.

Turnberry’s Ailsa Course occupies a prominent place in British and international golf. The course has staged The Open Championship four times and remains one of the most recognisable links courses in the United Kingdom.

The five-star resort, located on the Ayrshire coast, attracts visitors from around the world and is known for its views across the Firth of Clyde. Non-resident tee times at the resort have been listed at prices reaching up to £1,000 per player, underlining Turnberry’s position at the luxury end of the global golf market.

Donald Trump acquired the property from a Dubai-based group in 2014 for an undisclosed sum. Since then, the resort has operated under the Trump Turnberry name and has remained one of the most politically prominent sporting properties in Scotland.

The forthcoming court proceedings are expected to provide the next formal stage in a case involving allegations of significant property damage, political protest and an alleged terrorist connection. Daily Dazzling Dawn will continue to follow developments as the legal process progresses.