Pair deny Stonehenge Just Stop Oil protest charges

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.

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.