Six Palestine Action Activists Face Retrial Over Violent Elbit Systems Break-In

Six Palestine Action activists faced a retrial on criminal damage charges after a jury cleared them of aggravated burglary.

“- Published Six Palestine Action activists aimed to "cause as much damage as possible" during a break-in at a UK site of an Israel-based defence firm, a trial has heard”

BBC

Corner faced a charge of causing grievous bodily harm for allegedly striking police sergeant Kate Evans with a sledgehammer.

BBC

The jury deliberated for over 36 hours but could not reach verdicts on criminal damage or violent disorder charges.

Prosecutor Heer told the court the group intended to cause as much damage as possible.

Witnesses described Corner striking Sgt Evans twice in the back with a sledgehammer, causing a fractured spine.

The CPS announced it would pursue a retrial on all charges where no verdict was reached.

Aggravated burglary charges against 18 further defendants were dropped.

Middle East Eye

The six defendants had spent around 18 months in custody before being set free on conditional bail.

The trial took place amid tight security.

The judge told jurors they should not be distracted by the group's proscription.

The six activists denied all charges.

“The jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the trial of six Palestine Action activists, including an Oxford University student, who are accused of breaking into an Israeli defence firm’s UK site with sledgehammers as weapons”

Oxford Mail

They testified the sledgehammers were solely for destroying property and not intended to injure security staff.

Corner testified he genuinely thought a fellow activist was being seriously injured.

The defense argued the activists were completely out of their depth.

The jury was reminded not to feel any pressure of time.