Four convicted of criminal damage at premises of Elbit Systems Ltd -

On 5 May 2026, four Palestine Action activists were convicted of criminal damage committed at premises of Elbit Systems Ltd which, at the time (6 August 2024), were located at Filton (Bristol). I understand that the premises are now closed - The Guardian 6 September 2025. 

Elbit Systems is an Israeli arms producer including advanced drone technology.

The four convicted were Leona Kamio (30), Samuel Corner (23), Fatema Rajwani (21), and Charlotte Head (29). The jury returned unanimous verdicts.

Samuel Corner was acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer but he was convicted (by a majority of 11 to one) of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Two other defendants, Jordan Devlin (31), and Zoe Rogers (22), were acquitted of criminal damage.

During the trial, the

defendants dismissed defence counsel claiming that the lawyers were no longer able to present their defence because of rulings made by the trial judge. They delivered their own closing speeches.

Those convicted are now remanded in custody pending sentencing, which I understand is set provisionally for 12 June. The maximum sentence for criminal damage is 10 years imprisonment.

This was a second trial involving the same defendants. 

Palestine Action Defendants Represent Themselves Due to ‘Court Decisions’ | Novara Media

Four Palestine Action Activists Found Guilty of Criminal Damage | Novara Media

Palestine Action activists guilty of Elbit Systems site raid - BBC News

Four Palestine Action activists convicted of criminal damage | UK news | The Guardian.

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Earlier trial:

At a previous trial, the jury acquitted all the defendants of aggravated burglary. Jurors also acquitted Rajwani, Devlin and Rogers of violent disorder, and did not return a verdict for the other three defendants. The Crown Prosecution Service subsequently dropped violent disorder charges against Head, Corner and Kamio.

After the first trial, all of the defendants except Corner were released on bail, having spent 18 months in prison on remand. Additionally, aggravated burglary charges against 18 more defendants due to stand trial for the events at Filton were discontinued but they still face other charges.

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Action against defence counsel:

Charlotte Head’s defence lawyer, Rajiv Menon KC, faces contempt of court proceedings arising from the FIRST trial. He was accused of misleading the jury and defying judge Mr Justice Johnson’s rulings. I understand that this case will be heard on 15 June. 

Barrister in Palestine Action trial facing contempt of court proceedings | UK news | The Guardian where it is said that -

Before the first trial, Mr Justice Johnson ruled that Head and her co-defendants, who were then charged with violent disorder, aggravated burglary and criminal damage, could not argue they had a “lawful excuse” because of the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza.

He later directed that the lawyers were not permitted in their closing speeches to invite the jury to disregard the court’s rulings of law. Johnson also forbade them from inviting the jury to apply the principle of jury equity – the right of a jury to acquit on the basis of conscience regardless of the judge’s directions – or to inform the jury of it.

During his closing speech, Menon highlighted Bushell’s case from 1670 which is recognised as having established beyond question the independence of the jury. He also read out the inscription of a plaque at the Old Bailey commemorating the case, which states that it “established the right of juries to give their verdict according to their convictions” …..

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Other links:

Law and Lawyers: Do juries have an absolute right to acquit a defendant? and see HM Solicitor General -v- Warner - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Law and Lawyers: Criminal Damage Act 1971 - damage caused by protesters and the defence of lawful excuse