FOUR women have appeared in court accused of causing criminal damage at a former Cumbrian MP's office during a protest by members of the Just Stop Oil environmental campaign group.

The quartet were charged following an incident at Mark Jenkinson’s Senhouse Street premises in Maryport on April 26 this year.

A Just Stop Oil group spokesman confirmed on that date that a number supporters had put up posters at the office during a protest against the then-MP’s support for a controversial new West Cumbria coal mine.

In the aftermath of this incident, four women were charged.

Appearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court were Dr Alison Parker, aged 41, of Aspatria; Fiona Atkinson, aged 68, of Collin Road; Margaret Reid, aged 53, of Low Fellside; and Catherine Rennie-Nash, aged 74, of Castle Green Close, all three of those addresses being in Kendal.

All four women face one charge which alleges that they damaged window screening, belonging to Mr Jenkinson, to the value £3,392.21. The charge alleges that the women did so “intending to destroy or damage such property, or being reckless as to whether such property was destroyed or damaged”.

During a short hearing in front of district judge John Temperley, the four women each pleaded not guilty to the allegation. They also spoke to confirm their respective names, dates of birth and addresses.

Parker, Atkinson and Rennie-Nash sat in the courtroom dock while Reid appeared remotely over a video link.

Nicola Hall, the lawyer representing Parker, Atkinson and Rennie-Nash, said they disputed their actions had caused damage. Their defence team was intending to call three witnesses at the trial. These include Mr Jenkinson, a defeated candidate for the newly-created Penrith and Solway Parliamentary seat during this year’s general election.

Reid was not legally represented at the court hearing during which directions for future progress of the case were given by the judge.

All four women are next due to stand trial with the hearing given a provisional start date of January 13 and a time estimate of two-and-a-half days.

In the meantime Parker, Atkinson, Rennie-Nash and Reid were granted bail in these court proceedings. One condition prohibits them from contacting Mr Jenkinson directly or indirectly by any means.