In a brazen daylight attack that stunned onlookers, two Just Stop Oil activists armed with fire extinguishers filled with orange powder targeted the ancient Stonehenge monument, ignoring frantic pleas from visitors to stop their destructive protest.
Court Hears Shocking Details of Monument Attack
Salisbury Magistrates' Court was presented with dramatic evidence of the incident that occurred on June 19th, where protesters Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 21, allegedly bypassed security measures to reach the protected stones.
According to prosecutors, the pair modified fire extinguishers to discharge bright orange cornflour-based powder across the prehistoric monument, causing visible damage to the ancient stones that date back over 4,500 years.
Horrified Onlookers Begged Protesters to Stop
Eyewitness accounts presented to the court described how visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site screamed at the activists to cease their vandalism as orange clouds enveloped the historic stones.
"Visitors were heard shouting 'stop' and 'no' as the defendants sprayed the orange powder," prosecutor Hannah Squire told the court, painting a picture of the chaotic scene that unfolded at one of Britain's most iconic landmarks.
Modified Equipment Used in Coordinated Attack
The court heard how the protesters had strategically modified their equipment for maximum impact, using fire extinguishers specifically altered to project the coloured powder across a wide area.
Police evidence indicated the activists had planned their approach to avoid security and reach the restricted stone circle, demonstrating what prosecutors called a "premeditated act of vandalism."
Heritage Experts Assess Damage to Ancient Stones
Conservation specialists from English Heritage have been conducting detailed assessments of the damage caused by the orange powder, which despite being described as "washable" by the protesters, required specialist cleaning to ensure no permanent harm occurred to the ancient surfaces.
The incident has sparked renewed debate about security at Britain's most treasured historical sites and the appropriate response to environmental protests that target cultural heritage.
Both defendants have been released on bail as the case continues, with the court considering charges of criminal damage to one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments.
