Seven charged with damaging Trump’s Scottish golf course accused of ‘terrorist connection’

Seven people have been charged with vandalising Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland, prosecutors say the damage was “having a terrorist connection.” The defendants are due to appear in court on 31 August.

The offences alleged that the defendants “did maliciously damage property there in that you did maliciously dig up turf on the golf course, spray glyphosate or similar substance on the fairways and greens, spray a building and signpost with paint, paint political and offensive slogans on the grass, score a political slogan into the turf, paint political and offensive slogans on a building, walls and pillars, damage a sprinkler system causing flooding, and damage a light.” The indictment further claims that the offence was aggravated by a terrorist connection.

The clubhouse at the five‑star Trump Turnberry hotel and resort on Scotland’s west coast was graffitied on 8 March last year, and the course was dug up and painted with the words “Gaza is not 4 sale.” The seven accused are Kieran Robson, 35; Uzma Bashir, 56; Ricky Southall, 34; Autumn Taylor Ward, 22; Rebecca Sian Davies, 29; John Moxley, 58; and Dylan Chiaramello, 24.

Turnberry’s Ailsa course has hosted the Open Championship four times. Tee times for non‑residents can cost up to £1,000 a head at the Ayrshire resort. Trump purchased the property in 2014 from a Dubai‑based group for an undisclosed sum, adding his name to the estate.

A note from a meeting on 13 March last year between Scottish First Minister John Swinney and U.S. President’s son Eric Trump said the Scottish government had “noted with concern the recent incident at the Trump Turnberry property, condemning the damage caused by vandalism and offering reassurance that the relevant authorities would continue to take the incident seriously.” The note was issued after the vandalism was reported, but no further details were released at the time.

The police investigation, conducted by the Dumfries and Galloway Police, identified the seven suspects and charged them under the Criminal Damage Act and the Terrorism Act. The case will be heard at the Dumfries and Galloway Sheriff Court, where the defendants will face a range of charges, including malicious damage, graffiti, and the alleged terrorist connection. The prosecution will present evidence of the spray paint, glyphosate residue, and the removal of turf. The defendants are expected to plead not guilty, and their trial could last several weeks.

The incident has drawn attention from the golf community and the broader public. Turnberry’s management has issued a statement condemning the vandalism and reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the course’s standards. The resort’s owner, Donald Trump, has not publicly commented on the incident.

The case highlights the growing concern over politically motivated vandalism at high‑profile venues. Law enforcement agencies have warned that such acts could be linked to extremist groups, and the inclusion of a terrorist connection in the indictment reflects this concern. The court is expected to consider whether the defendants’ actions were part of a broader campaign of political intimidation.

In summary, seven individuals face charges of damaging Trump Turnberry’s golf course and clubhouse, with allegations of a terrorist connection. Their court appearance is scheduled for 31 August, and the case will be heard in Dumfries and Galloway Sheriff Court. The incident underscores the intersection of sport, politics, and security concerns in contemporary society.