Four Palestine Action activists have been jailed for what a judge ruled was a terrorist-linked raid on an Israeli-owned defence factory near Bristol, leaving a police officer with a fractured spine and causing £1.2m in damage.
Samuel Corner, 23, a former Oxford University student, was handed seven years and eight months for criminal damage and inflicting grievous bodily harm after he struck Sergeant Kate Evans on the back with a sledgehammer. The judge, Mr Justice Johnson, described it as “extreme and gratuitous force against a vulnerable police officer acting in the course of her duties.”
“Four Palestine Action activists jailed for £1.2m raid on Elbit factory; judge rules criminal damage had terrorist connection.”
Sgt Evans held back tears as she read a statement revealing she had been forced to give up her rank and still requires medical treatment. “I experience disturbed sleep, often waking in a panicked state or after distressing dreams,” she told the court.
The raid on 6 August 2024 saw Charlotte Head, 30, crash a prison van into the Elbit Systems compound. She, along with Leona Kamio, 30, and Fatema Rajwani, 21, used sledgehammers and crowbars to destroy computers, drones and other equipment. Head and Kamio each received five-year sentences; Rajwani was jailed for four years and eight months. The judge ruled the offences had a terrorist connection – believed to be the first time criminal damage convictions have been classified as such – because the group aimed to influence the government and intimidate the public.
Johnson said two of the activists livestreamed the raid and posted footage to social media in an effort to “glorify criminality and vigilantism.” He added they had been “reckless” about who would be injured and had veto power over every part of the plan. Corner, who showed “no sign of shock or regret” after hitting Sgt Evans, had attempted to “justify his actions with baseless claims,” she said.
The sentences drew sharp criticism from politicians. Green Party leader Zack Polanski called it a “truly dangerous attack on the right to protest,” while Labour MP John McDonnell said the scale of the sentences was “truly shocking.” Outside Woolwich Crown Court, 72 protesters were arrested for supporting a proscribed group – Palestine Action.
The four will not be eligible for early release; the Parole Board will assess their risk to the public. Each will also serve an additional year on licence in the community.