Just Stop Oil activists charged after Stonehenge sprayed orange

Two Just Stop Oil activists have been charged with damaging an ancient protected monument after Stonehenge was sprayed with orange powder in June.

Rajan Naidu, 73 and Niamh Lynch, 20, will appear at Salisbury magistrates’ court on Dec 13, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

They have each been charged with a single count of destroying or damaging an ancient protected monument, and one count of causing a public nuisance. Repurposed fire extinguishers were allegedly used to spray the monument orange.

English Heritage, which looks after Stonehenge, had called the incident “extremely upsetting”, and instructed its curators to investigate the extent of any possible damage.

The charity said at the time that removing the paint could cause harm to the stones and the rare lichens that cling to them. The day after the incident, Dr Nick Merriman, the English Heritage chief executive, said: “Stonehenge is a unique place, one that has special meaning to many of us.”

Sophie Stevens, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, 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 Dec 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.”