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Elderly Activist Accused of Defacing Iconic Stonehenge in Climate Protest
23 Oct
Summary
- 74-year-old Just Stop Oil supporter accused of spraying Stonehenge with orange powder
- Protester claims he does not come across as "dangerous or threatening"
- Incident occurred a day before summer solstice celebration at the monument
In June 2022, a 74-year-old Just Stop Oil supporter, Rajan Naidu, and an Oxford University student, Niamh Lynch, 22, are accused of using fire extinguishers filled with cornflour, talc, and orange dye to spray the iconic Stonehenge monument. The incident occurred as part of an ongoing fossil fuel protest by the Just Stop Oil group.
Naidu, who is currently on trial at Salisbury Crown Court, claims the group had "no intention to do anything reckless or harmful" to the "sacred" monument, which he describes as "one of the wonders of the world." He maintains that he does not come across as a "dangerous or threatening person" and that the action was "entirely peaceful."
The prosecution argues that Stonehenge is "arguably the best recognized and architecturally sophisticated, prehistoric stone circle in the world" and that the incident happened a day before the summer solstice, when about 15,000 people were due to gather and celebrate. The cost of cleaning the stones was £620.
Naidu, Lynch, and a third defendant, Luke Watson, 36, all deny charges of damaging an ancient protected monument and causing a public nuisance. The trial is ongoing.
