Palestine Action activists jailed over factory raid

Four activists from the group Palestine Action have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a raid on an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol, an incident that caused approximately £1.2 million in damages. The activists, Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani, were convicted of criminal damage following a retrial for the August 2024 break-in.

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The emotional impact of this incident has been profound and ongoing. I experience disturbed sleep, often waking in a panicked state or after distressing dreams.

Mr. Justice Johnson stated that the group's actions were intended to influence government policy and sentenced them on the basis that the raid had a "terrorist connection." This classification is believed to be the first time criminal damage convictions have been linked to terrorism in the UK. Consequently, the offenders will not be eligible for early release and their risk to the public will be assessed by the Parole Board.

Samuel Corner received the longest sentence, seven years and eight months, for criminal damage and grievous bodily harm against a police sergeant. The judge condemned the "extreme and gratuitous force" used. Head, who drove a vehicle into the compound, was sentenced to five years, while Kamio also received a five-year term. Rajwani was sentenced to four years and eight months.

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The case is believed to be the first time that convictions for criminal damage have been classified as connected to terrorism.

The court heard that two activists livestreamed the raid, intending to "glorify criminality and vigilantism." The judge described their actions as "reckless" regarding potential injuries and highlighted their significant involvement in planning the operation. Police Sergeant Evans, in an impact statement, described the profound and ongoing emotional toll of the attack, including disturbed sleep and distress. She noted Corner showed no remorse and attempted to justify his actions with claims of complicity in genocide.

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It would be wholly wrong and unfair for this court to reach any conclusions as to the reasons or underlying motivations of the defendants in doing what they did given the prosecution applied for that evidence to be excluded.