Five people, including one from Blackburn, have appeared in court charged with causing £500,000 worth of damage to the Barclays Bank building in Burnley.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard windows were smashed and graffiti, relating to the conflict in Palestine, daubed on the building.

The campaign group Palestine Action later claimed responsibility for the incident, and on Monday police said five people had been arrested.

District Judge Alexandra Preston ruled the case should be heard at the Crown Court in Preston.

The five defendants were:

  • 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 Garston, Liverpool.

They were all sent on bail to Preston Crown Court where they will appear on September 3.

Conditions of bail include residence, not to enter Burnley, and not to enter any branch of Barclays.

Malik pleaded not guilty to causing £500,000 worth of damage to windows and signage belonging to Barclays Bank.

The other four gave no indication of plea to the same charge.

The branch, in St James's Street in Burnley town centre, remains closed due to vandalism.