Palestine Action activists cleared of factory burglary

Six Palestine Action activists were cleared of committing aggravated burglary yesterday over a break-in at an Israel-based defence firm's UK site.

- POL ALLINGHAM

Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Zainab Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, faced trial at Woolwich Crown Court over allegations they used or threatened unlawful violence and used sledgehammers as weapons after a prison van was driven into Elbit Systems’ Bristol factory.

Prosecutors said the six defendants, whose trial began in November, were members of the now-banned group Palestine Action. All six were acquitted of aggravated burglary, and jurors 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 a verdict for charges of criminal damage against all six defendants.

No verdict was reached in the allegation that Mr Corner, 23, inflicted grievous bodily harm on Police Sergeant Kate Evans, or on the charges of violent disorder against Ms Head, Mr Corner, and Ms Kamio.