Liverpool Woman Among Seven In Trump Turnberry Golf Course Trial 2026

Key Points

• Seven people, including Autumn Ward, 23 years old from Aigburth, Liverpool, are to be tried over the malicious damage to property at Donald Trump’s Trump Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire.
• The accused were arrested after an alleged attack carried out in March 2025 as part of a protest at the five-star resort on Maidens Road, Turnberry.
• It is claimed that the seven people involved dug up turf, sprayed Glyphosate or something similar on fairways and greens, and painted the building and sign post.
• Further charges state that the slogans were painted or scored in grass, a building, walls and pillars, that a sprinkler system was damaged and caused flooding, and a light was broken.
• The prosecution alleges that the offence was aggravated by reason of its connection with terrorism, pursuant to section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008.
• In addition to the seven individuals, Kieran Robson, Uzma Bashir and Rebecca Sian Davies are to be charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
• At a virtual hearing held at the High Court of Glasgow on Wednesday, pleas of not guilty were tendered on behalf of Ward, Robson, Bashir, Davies, John Moxley and Dylan Chiaramello.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 28, 2026 — A Liverpool woman is among seven people who are to stand trial accused of maliciously damaging property at US President Donald Trump’s Trump Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Autumn Ward, 23, of Aigburth, and six co-accused face allegations connected to an incident at the resort in March last year.

The allegations concern damage said to have been caused at the golf courses and resort buildings. According to the indictment, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, the accused are alleged to have “maliciously” dug up turf on the golf courses, sprayed Glyphosate or a similar substance on the fairways and greens, and sprayed a building and signpost with paint.

The BBC reported that the seven are suspected of causing “malicious mischief” during a protest on 8 March last year. The broadcaster said the alleged damage included digging up turf at the golf courses and spraying weed-killer Glyphosate on fairways and greens.

Prosecutors also allege that political and offensive slogans were painted on the grass and on a building, walls and pillars. The Liverpool Echo reported that a political slogan was also alleged to have been scored into the turf.

The indictment further states that damage to a sprinkler system caused flooding and that a light was broken. These allegations were also reported by the BBC and the Ayr Advertiser.

Who are the seven people accused?

The seven accused are Autumn Ward, 23, of Aigburth, Liverpool; Kieran Robson, 35, of Galashiels; Uzma Bashir, 56, of Leeds; Ricky Southall, 34, of Wakefield; Rebecca Sian Davies, 29; John Moxley, 58; and Dylan Chiaramello, 25, both of London.

As reported by Herald Scotland, lawyers representing the seven attended a virtual hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday. The publication listed the same ages and locations for the accused.

The case has been widely covered by UK and international media. The BBC, Ayr Advertiser, Herald Scotland, Reuters, The Irish News, UPI and Al Jazeera have all reported on the charges and the alleged terrorist-connection aggravation.

What did the court hear on Wednesday?

During the short hearing, pleas of not guilty were tendered on behalf of Ward, Robson, Bashir, Davies, Moxley and Chiaramello. The Liverpool Echo reported that the accused did not attend the hearing in person.

Mairi-Clare McMillan, representing Southall, told the court that she had only recently taken on his case and would need more time to take instruction from him. This was reported by the Liverpool Echo and the Ayr Advertiser.

Prosecutor John Keenan KC told the hearing that a trial had been identified for 14 February 2028 in Glasgow for a period of 15 days. The Ayr Advertiser and Greatest Hits Radio Borders both attributed this statement to Mr Keenan.

The hearing was also told that a “significant draft joint minute” of agreed evidence was under consideration. The Ayr Advertiser reported this detail from the proceedings.

Why is the case described as terror-linked?

The indictment says it will be proved that the alleged offence was “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection”. The Liverpool Echo reported this wording from the indictment.

The BBC reported that prosecutors claim the allegation will be proved in terms of section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and that the charge is aggravated by having a “terrorist connection”.

The Ayr Advertiser likewise reported that prosecutors claim the allegation will be proved under section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008. The publication said the charge is said to be aggravated by having a “terrorist connection”.

It is important to distinguish between an allegation and a finding: the terrorist-connection aggravation is part of the prosecution case and has not been determined by a court. The defendants are due to stand trial, and six of them have had not-guilty pleas tendered on their behalf.

What is the separate justice charge?

Kieran Robson, Uzma Bashir and Rebecca Sian Davies also face a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice. The Liverpool Echo reported that 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.

The BBC also reported that Robson, Bashir and Davies face the separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The allegation concerning false registration numbers was reported by the Liverpool Echo as part of the indictment. No conviction has been recorded in relation to this charge.

When will the Trump Turnberry trial take place?

Judge Lord Arthurson fixed a 15-day trial for 14 February 2028. A further preliminary hearing was set for 15 March 2027.

The trial will take place in Glasgow. The BBC reported that the trial is expected to last 15 days.

All seven accused remain on bail. The Liverpool Echo and Herald Scotland both reported that the accused did not attend the hearing and remain on bail.

What happened outside Glasgow High Court?

A pro-Palestine demonstration attended by a few dozen people was held outside the front of the court building while the hearing took place. The Liverpool Echo reported that some demonstrators waved Palestine flags and displayed banners, including one reading: “Yes it is a genocide.”

Speakers used a bullhorn to address the rally and lead pro-Palestine chants, according to the Liverpool Echo. A number of police officers were stationed in the atrium of the court building, while a police vehicle was parked around the corner.

The demonstration occurred outside the court and should not be taken as an indication of the identities, motives or guilt of the accused. The article does not establish that the demonstrators were connected to the defendants.

What did earlier reporting say about the charges?

The charges were first reported in August. Reuters reported on 28 August that prosecutors said seven people charged with damaging President Trump’s Scottish golf course were alleged to have committed an offence with a terrorist connection.

The Irish News, citing an indictment seen by the Press Association, reported that the defendants were accused of maliciously damaging property at the site, including digging up turf, spraying glyphosate on fairways and greens, and spraying a building and signpost with paint.

The New York Times reported that all seven were charged with malicious damage to property and were due to face a judge at a preliminary hearing in Glasgow.

UPI reported that the 16-page indictment stated the offences were “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection”.

Al Jazeera reported that the seven activists were alleged to have spray-painted messages in support of Gaza and dug up turf at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire in March 2025. The outlet reported that all seven were charged under ordinary criminal law for malicious property damage.

Background of the development

Trump Turnberry is a five-star golf resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland, owned by US President Donald Trump. The alleged incident took place on 8 March 2025, when police were called to the resort on Maidens Road, Turnberry.

The case concerns alleged property damage during a protest. Media reports have linked the protest to Palestine Action, although the court reporting cited here focuses on the charges faced by the seven named individuals rather than making findings about any organisation.

The prosecution’s use of a terrorist-connection aggravation has been a central feature of coverage since August. Herald Scotland reported at that time that, if found guilty, the defendants could face longer sentences if prosecutors establish the alleged terrorist connection.

The case remains at an interim stage. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 2027, followed by the trial in February 2028.

How could this development affect the accused and local community?

For the seven accused, the fixed trial date means the case will remain live for more than a year before the scheduled hearing in March 2027 and the trial beginning in February 2028. Those who have had not-guilty pleas tendered on their behalf will await the court’s determination of the allegations.

For residents and businesses around Turnberry and South Ayrshire, the case may continue to draw media and public attention to the resort. The alleged damage relates to the golf courses, resort buildings and infrastructure, and the trial is expected to examine the prosecution’s evidence in detail.

For protesters and campaign groups, the proceedings may be closely watched because prosecutors allege a terrorist-connection aggravation. Any outcome will depend on evidence presented at trial, and the allegations should not be treated as established facts.

For the wider public, the case illustrates how alleged protest-related property damage can be prosecuted under criminal law while prosecutors also seek to prove an aggravation linked to terrorism. The final legal significance will become clearer only after the preliminary hearing and trial.