Full Breakdown
Four Activists Convicted Over 2024 Elbit Systems Raid in Bristol
5/8/2026, 8:14:38 PM
Raid and Verdict
On 6 August 2024, six Palestine Action members entered Elbit Systems’ UK facility in Filton, Bristol, using a decommissioned prison van to smash security shutters. They broke drones, computers and other equipment with sledgehammers and crowbars. Woolwich Crown Court convicted Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio and Fatema Rajwani of criminal damage; Corner also received a guilty verdict for grievous bodily harm after striking Sgt Kate Evans, fracturing her spine. Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin were acquitted.
Background and Timeline
The raid occurred ten months after the October 2023 Gaza war began. In July 2025 the UK government proscribed Palestine Action under terrorism law, later ruled unlawful by the High Court while an appeal proceeds. A February 2026 trial cleared all six of aggravated burglary but failed on criminal-damage counts. The retrial on 8 May 2026 produced the convictions, with sentencing set for 12 June 2026.
Charges, Damage and Evidence
Prosecutors valued the property loss at about £1 million (? $1.36 million). The four convicted faced criminal-damage charges; Corner also faced a GBH charge, for which he was found guilty but cleared of GBH with intent. No evidence confirmed the destroyed items were intended for Israeli military use.
Official and Critical Reactions
The Avon and Somerset Police Federation called the incident “violent and deliberate thuggery” and condemned Sgt Evans’ injury. The prosecution called the raid “meticulously organized” to maximise damage. Judge Mr Justice Johnson told jurors to set aside any emotions about the Gaza conflict. Activists said the court penalised empathy for the officer and argued their actions aimed to save civilian lives in Gaza. Defence counsel noted no clear link between the damaged equipment and Israeli military operations.
On-the-Ground Account and Reporting Gaps
Witnesses said the activists wore red jumpsuits, crashed the van into factory shutters and used crowbars and sledgehammers to destroy computers, drones and other hardware. Police and security intervened, during which Sgt Evans suffered a spinal fracture. Sources differ on whether Corner was convicted of GBH with intent; the BBC corrected an earlier report, confirming only GBH. CCTV of the assault on Devlin by a security guard was unavailable, and no independent verification of the weaponry stored at the site.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He said: “I don’t regret signing up to this action because I’m very acutely aware I was quantifiably saving lives.” — Jordan Devlin, activist
- “Pure evil is the war crimes these weapons are used for.” — Jordan Devlin, activist
- “I can say with absolute certainty that this is the best thing I have ever done.” — Zoe Rogers, activist
- “violent and deliberate thuggery” — Tom Gent, police federation chair
Next Steps
Sentencing on 12 June 2026 will set custodial terms, while the government’s appeal of the High Court’s ban on Palestine Action remains pending.
