Five people, including one from Chorley, who stand accused of defacing the Burnley branch of Barclays bank will go to trial next year after pleading not guilty.

The group denied causing £500,000 worth of criminal damage to windows and signage at the bank in St James' Street on August 5.

The five defendants appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court on September 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing, after making their first appearance in magistrates' court last month.

The five defendants are:

  • Mohammed Malik, 26, of Addison Street, Blackburn,
  • Brendon O’Hagan, 26, of Kersott Road, Wythenshawe,
  • Amanda Kelly, 29, of Ashlynne, Ashton-Under-Lyne,
  • Humeera Atiqnisar, 29, of Lyon’s Lane, Chorley,
  • Alma Yaniv, 68, of Verney Crescent, Liverpool

Mohammed Malik, 26, of Addison Street, Blackburn,Mohammed Malik, from Blackburn, is accused of criminal damage (Image: Newsquest)

It is alleged the defendants smashed the windows of the Barclays branch and covered the shopfront in red paint and graffiti.

The total cost of the damage at the bank was £500,000 and the bank had to temporarily close due to the vandalism.

The campaign group Palestine Action later claimed responsibility for the damage, accusing Barclays of supporting Israel and 'profiting from genocide'.

Barclays bank of St James's Street was vandalised on August 5Barclays bank in St James's Street was vandalised on August 5 (Image: Neil Terry)

Judge Ian Unsworth set a pre-trial review for May 6, 2025, and a trial date of June 30, 2025, with a trial expected to last five days.

Judge Unsworth also altered the terms of the defendants' bail, revoking a ban which had been placed on the quintet entering Burnley.

However, the terms regarding not entering a branch of Barclays Bank remain in place.

The bank had it's windows smashed and damage cost £500,000The bank had its windows smashed and the damage cost £500,000 to fix (Image: Neil Terry)

After the hearing, four of the defendants stood on the steps of the court alongside other people holding signs, banners and Palestine flags.

After having to be closed for repairs, the Burnley branch of Barclays is now back open.

The five defendants were bailed until their next hearing in May 2025.