Palestine Action activists jailed for Bristol factory raid

Four members of the pro-Palestinian activist group Palestine Action have been handed lengthy prison sentences for their role in a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems UK factory near Bristol that caused more than £1.2 million (over $1.5 million) in damage. In a landmark ruling, the court found that the offences carried a "terrorism connection", believed to be the first time criminal damage convictions in Britain have been treated in this way, resulting in tougher punishments for the defendants, BBC reported.

Delivering the verdict at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, Justice Jeremy Johnson ruled that the activists' actions were intended to influence the UK government and advance a political cause. "The action was designed to influence the government and intimidate a section of the public," the judge said, adding that this constituted an aggravating factor under terrorism sentencing provisions. The activists — Charlotte Head (30), Samuel Corner (23), Leona Kamio (30) and Fatema Rajwani (21) — had broken into the Elbit Systems facility in August 2024 wearing red boiler suits. Prosecutors said they damaged drones, computers and other equipment while livestreaming parts of the operation on social media.

Corner received the harshest punishment — seven years and eight months in prison — after also being convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm on police sergeant Kate Evans. The court heard that Corner struck Evans with a sledgehammer during the raid, fracturing her spine. Justice Johnson described the attack as involving "extreme and gratuitous force" and rejected arguments that Corner's autism explained his actions. Head and Kamio were each sentenced to five years in prison, while Rajwani received four years and eight months. All four will remain under licence supervision for an additional year after their release.

In an emotional victim impact statement, Sgt Evans told the court she continues to receive treatment and suffers from disturbed sleep and recurring distressing dreams. "The emotional impact of this incident has been profound and ongoing," she said, adding that she had been subjected to abusive messages accusing her of supporting "the Zionist occupation of Britain." Avon and Somerset Police Chief Constable Sarah Crew said the attack had permanently changed the officer's life. "It is important everyone realises that behind every uniform is an ordinary person with a family and responsibilities," Crew said.

The sentences drew sharp criticism from activists and politicians sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Green Party leader Zack Polanski described the ruling as "gut-wrenching" and warned it represented a "dangerous attack on the right to protest." Labour MP John McDonnell called the prison terms "truly shocking." Defence lawyer Rajiv Menon KC argued that applying terrorism-related sentencing enhancements to a criminal damage conviction was unprecedented and risked creating a chilling effect on legitimate protest activity.

Around 500 demonstrators gathered outside the court in support of the defendants. According to the Metropolitan Police, 107 people were arrested during the protest. A dispersal order was issued after sentencing, but several hundred protesters remained, with some attempting to block a prison van believed to be carrying the convicted activists. Police eventually cleared the route and the vehicle departed later in the evening.

The ruling comes as the UK government continues its legal battle over the future of Palestine Action. The direct-action group was banned under the Terrorism Act after a series of high-profile actions, including the Bristol factory raid. Membership or support for the organisation became a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. However, the High Court ruled earlier this year that the ban was disproportionate and had a significant impact on human rights. The government appealed that decision, with a judgment expected on Monday. The outcome could have major implications for both protest movements and the government's use of counter-terrorism powers in the UK.