Police charge two people after orange paint was thrown at Stonehenge during Just Stop Oil protest

Two people have been charged after orange dye powder was sprayed on the stones of Stonehenge during the Just Stop Oil protest in June.

Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 22, were charged with destroying or damaging a protected ancient monument and deliberately or recklessly causing a public nuisance after the incident on June 19, Wiltshire Police said.

The Just Stop Oil group later named the two men as Naidu and Lynch.

The pair will appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13.

Sophie Stevens, deputy chief prosecutor at Wessex Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized Wiltshire Police to charge Naidu Rajan and Niamh Lynch with offenses relating to damage to the protected Stonehenge monument on 19 June 2024.

“They will appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13, 2024 for a first hearing.

“I would like to remind all concerned that active criminal investigations are being carried out against these people and that they have the right to a fair trial.

“There should be no reporting, commenting or sharing of information online that could undermine these operations in any way.”