A 21-year-old woman has been arrested in Liverpool in connection with significant damage caused to former US president Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire, bringing the total number of arrests related to the incident to six.
Police Scotland confirmed that the woman was taken into custody on Thursday as part of the ongoing investigation into the events of 8 March, when red paint was sprayed across the clubhouse and substantial damage was caused to the greens at the 800-acre estate on Maidens Road, Turnberry.
Officers were first alerted to the incident at around 4.40am, when reports of vandalism to the luxury course began to surface. Described by the Trump Organisation as one of Europe’s finest golfing destinations, the Turnberry resort has long been a subject of both praise and political controversy since its acquisition by Trump in 2014.
The arrest of the 21-year-old woman follows a string of earlier detentions. On 12 March, 33-year-old Kieran Robson, from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, was arrested and charged with malicious mischief in connection with the case. He appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court on 31 March for a brief hearing where he made no plea. He was committed for further examination and released on bail pending a future court appearance.
A few weeks later, two more suspects were arrested. Ricky Southall, 33, from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, and 55-year-old Umza Bashir, from Leeds, were both detained on 4 April. They too were charged with malicious mischief and appeared privately at Ayr Sheriff Court on 7 April. Both individuals made no plea and were also released on bail as further investigations continue.
In addition, a 75-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman, both previously arrested in connection with the same incident, have been released pending further inquiries.
Police Scotland said in a statement on Thursday: “A 21-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into damage caused at Turnberry golf course on 8 March 2025. Our inquiries are continuing, and we would encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.”
The acts of vandalism are being treated seriously, with authorities citing the charge of malicious mischief – a common law offence in Scotland which involves the wilful and malicious destruction or damage to another person’s property.
According to Scottish Government guidance published in October 2023, the charge should only be applied where damage is widespread, of considerable value, or results in significant disruption such as to power supplies or public infrastructure. While no fixed monetary threshold defines the offence, damage running into the thousands of pounds would typically be required for it to be considered malicious mischief rather than simple vandalism.
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The full extent of the damage at Turnberry has not been officially disclosed, but early reports suggested considerable clean-up and restoration would be needed, particularly on the greens – vital to the course’s international reputation.
The Trump Organisation has not publicly commented on the arrests but had previously issued a brief statement condemning the incident as “an act of criminal damage against a world-class sporting venue that brings significant tourism and employment to the region”.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging calm and patience. Security around the site has been visibly increased in recent weeks, with patrols stepping up overnight presence in and around the Turnberry grounds.
With the case attracting national and international attention, further court appearances are expected in the coming months, as prosecutors assess the evidence gathered from across the UK in what is shaping up to be one of the more high-profile vandalism investigations in recent Scottish legal history.
