Palestine Action activists cleared over weapons factory attack:
At Woolwich Crown Court, in south-east London, Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin were found not guilty over allegations that they had used or threatened unlawful violence.
Activists used an old prison van to ram-raid an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol in the early hours of Aug 6 2024, and attacked police officers with sledgehammers, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
I expect that policewoman who had her spine fractured fell over and landed on one of the sledgehammers. How very silly of her.
Footage played to the jury showed six protesters wearing red jumpsuits at the site.
All six on trial were acquitted of aggravated burglary, and jurors also found Ms Rajwani, Ms Rogers and Mr Devlin not guilty of violent disorder.
The jury deliberated for 36 hours and 34 minutes, but could not reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage against all six defendants. No verdict was reached in the allegation that Mr Corner, 23, inflicted grievous bodily harm on Sgt Kate Evans or on the charges of violent disorder against Ms Head, Mr Corner and Ms Kamio.…
The sledgehammers were solely for destroying property and were not “in any circumstances intended to injure security staff”, the court heard. The defendants had also not planned to use violence during the protest, they said.
Rajiv Menon KC, defending, said the group had not expected security guards to enter the factory during their action, adding that the defendants were “completely out of their depth”.
They “genuinely believed” their demonstration at the factory would help the Palestinian cause in Gaza, the court heard.
Well that’s alright then.
Elbit Systems UK said nothing it manufactured was sent to the Israeli Defense Forces, and that its UK arm provided equipment to the British military.
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police Federation said they noted the verdict in the case, particularly in relation to the alleged assault of a colleague.
“Like people across the country, we have viewed very distressing scenes during this trial, including footage of a police officer trying to maintain law and order only to be severely injured,” he said.
“We remind the public that a brave police officer’s spine was fractured during this incident.
“Avon and Somerset Police Federation continues to support our injured colleague and all officers involved on that day.”
Tom Gent, chairman of the federation added: “When an officer is assaulted while simply doing their job, the impact is felt across the policing family. We expect – and rely upon – the full support of the criminal justice system when our officers are harmed in the line of duty.”
Were there Free Palestine supporters in the jury? It seems a reasonable conclusion.
I don’t support the government’s proposed restriction on trial by jury, but my word, sometimes they seriously mess it up.
Added:
Mick Hartley 
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