this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2026
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UK Politics

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53
Palestine Action defendants acquitted of aggravated burglary over arms factory raid (www.middleeasteye.net)
submitted 1 week ago by pete_link@lemmy.ml to c/uk_politics@feddit.uk
28 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/42709668

4 February 2026 12:40 GMT

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the six defendants entered the factory with sledgehammers, intending, if needed, to injure and incapacitate security guards.

But the defendants disputed that the sledgehammers were “weapons of offence”, and insisted they were intended only to damage property.

As the verdicts were being read, the defendants held hands and embraced in the dock, as families and supporters cheered and wept.

The six defendants have been held for around 18 months on remand- exceeding standard UK custodial time limits.

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[–] xodasu@sh.itjust.works 21 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Good on the jury. After 18 months stuck on remand, these activists finally get a not guilty verdict on the big charges and a court full of supporters got to breathe for a moment. The footage of them holding hands and crying outside court says everything about how brutal pre-trial detention can be.

That said, this whole case stinks of political policing. Holding people for around 18 months, refusing bail because a judge thinks their "mindsets" won't change, and then threatening retrial is a grotesque way to chill protest. If the CPS pushes for another go, it will feel less like seeking justice and more like trying to wear down dissent.

If you care about basic protest rights, watch this space and push back. Long remands and selective prosecutions should worry anyone who thinks civil disobedience still has a place in a democracy.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

They were refused bail because they told the judge they would do it again given the opportunity. Hard to see how the judge could come to any other conclusion.

[–] jimmy90@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

still on the hook for loads of other stuff

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk -3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Any update on the health of the woman they attacked with a sledgehammer?

It would be good to see justice for her at least.

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 19 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's in the article there:

jurors did not return a verdict on the charge faced by Corner of grievous bodily harm with intent for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer.

Here's another interesting bit:

Bodycam footage presented to the jury appeared to show security guard Angelo Volante allegedly striking defendant Devlin in the neck with a sledgehammer, knocking him to the ground.

A series of images and a body map detailing Devlin’s injuries, including a black eye, was presented to the jury.

In another clip, Volante is seen brandishing a whip and running towards Devlin, who was unarmed. He then picked up a sledgehammer and swung it at Devlin and co-defendant Rogers.

Let's hope there's some justice for the protesters, eh?

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I would hope the guard is also subject to a rigorous investigation and charged if an offence has been committed.

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Well if they have, then the prosecution in that case certainly haven't been as energetic in propagandising the violence as the prosecution for the crown.

You seem to be someone who has faith in institutions. Do you not think justice has been done? The jury saw the same video you did and didn't believe it to be GBH with intent. So the officer who was injured has had her justice.

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I wasn't in court so I can't know what evidence was put forward and I wasn't in the jury so I can't know what they decided. According to the article they can be re tried and the mand who attacked the woman with a hammer is still in jail awaiting trial so there is hope of justice yet.

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

So for you, justice will only be done when a jury finds him guilty? Because he's already been tried by jury once

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk -1 points 1 week ago

Or not guilty. The jury failed to reach a verdict which means the should be re-tried.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk -3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

There’s only one prosecution

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

So it would be a different case, with a different prosecution, if the protesters were bringing charges against the security guard, no?

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Protestors can’t bring charges. Only the CPS can prosecute.

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Protestors can't bring charges? Can you explain what you mean by that because it's definitely not correct as is. Protestors have the protection of the law just like everybody else.
Only the CPS can prosecute? That's not right either, private prosecutions are allowed in the UK, under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. You can have your case heard in the magistrates court for example.

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The DPP has the right to take over or order discontinuance of any private prosecution. In this case it is almost unthinkable that the CPS would allow the protestors to mount a private prosecution of anyone, much less an individual the CPS has deemed a victim of the same incident.

I should have said the CPS has a monopoly on prosecution. Only those private prosecutions the DPP sees as no threat to their authority are allowed to take place.

[–] crapwittyname@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I didn't know that. That seems completely unjust. I hope the private prosecution would be allowed after the CPS is finished with the case?

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago

Its a bit like a burglar suing a homeowner over injury though.

In any case there have been calls to further restrict private prosecutions, as most of them are train fare dodgers and TV licence non-payments (TVL cases making up 1% of all cases in British courts), and the biggest legal scandal of the century so far has been the Post Office’s wrongful private prosecutions of postmasters, where it is theorised that most cases wouldn’t have gone to court if the CPS had had proper oversight.

[–] zedcell@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Bootlicking scum

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Great arguement you have there.

In my view private companies profiting from genocide are fair game for these tactics and clearly the jury agrees.

Battering someone with a sledgehammer isn't.

[–] zedcell@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

"Someone".

Yeah they just battered any old random person, definitely.

Bootlicking scum.

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You seem very extreme in your views, perhaps you should take an internet break to find yourself a sense of perspective.

[–] zedcell@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The only extremist is you, you bootlicking scum.

Part your hand from cock and fuck off.

[–] BigTwerp@feddit.uk -1 points 1 week ago

I'm sorry you feel that way. Here is a link to some resources about healthy internet habits: https://saferinternet.org.uk/

Be well.

[–] CactusEcho@piefed.social -4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Five of the defendants were granted bail; Corner was remanded in custody.

Corner hit a police woman in the neck/back with a sledge hammer, so fuck him!

[–] TheJesusaurus@piefed.ca 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

All cops are bad

[–] ohulancutash@feddit.uk -1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Sounds like the sort of sentiments a toddler would have.

[–] TheJesusaurus@piefed.ca 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

In my experience kids generally are very trusting of authority.

[–] Cort@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

At least until they learn their acab's