Two people have been charged after orange paint powder was thrown at the stones of Stonehenge during a Just Stop Oil protest.
Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 22, have been charged with destroying or damaging an ancient protected monument in Wiltshire.
Wiltshire Police said in a statement: “We have been authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Rajan Naidu, 73, of Gosford Street, Birmingham, and Niamh Lynch, 22, of Norfolk Road, Bedford, with destroying or damaging an ancient protected monument, and intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance.
“They have been bailed to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13.”
Two people have been charged after the incident
PA
Images from the World Heritage site showed the moment protesters laid siege to the stonesJust Stop OilDeputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS Wessex Sophie Stevens said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Wiltshire Police to charge Naidu Rajan and Niamh Lynch with offences related to damage caused to the protected monument Stonehenge on June 19, 2024.
“They will appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13 2024 for a first hearing.
“I would like to remind all concerned that there are active criminal proceedings against these individuals, and they have the right to a fair trial.
“There must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that may in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
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Stonehenge is a Unesco heritage site
Wikipedia Commons
The incident took place the day before celebrations began for the Summer Solstice at the 5,000-year-old landmark.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects. Our enquiries are ongoing and we are working closely with English Heritage.”