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Pair deny Stonehenge Just Stop Oil protest charges

Bea Swallow & Beth Cruse
BBC News, West of England
BBC Three of the stones at Stonehenge are seen covered in splatters of orange powder paint. BBC
Stonehenge was covered in orange paint during a Just Stop Oil protest, the court heard

Two people accused of damaging Stonehenge by throwing orange paint over it have appeared in court.

Rajan Naidu, 74, and Niamh Lynch, 22, pleaded not guilty to two charges of damaging an ancient protected monument and causing a public nuisance.

The stones were covered in orange powder paint as part of a protest by the campaign group Just Stop Oil on 19 June, the court heard.

A third defendant, Luke Watson, 35, was excused attendance from the hearing at Salisbury Crown Court and did not enter pleas to the charges he faces.

PA Media Two people are seen in a composite image next to each other arriving at Salisbury Crown Court. One image shows someone with grey hair, carrying a small plant in a bag, wearing a rainbow cardigan and blue t-shirt. The other shows someone wearing a dark blue puffer jacket.PA Media
Rajan Naidu (L) and Niamh Lynch (R) appeared at Salisbury Crown Court

Mr Naidu, of Gosford Street, in Birmingham, and Ms Lynch, of Norfolk Road, in Bedford, are set to face a trial on 30 October.

A pre-trial review hearing will take place on 19 September.

Mr Watson, of Bishop's Stortford, Essex, will next appear in court on 30 May.

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