London (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 07, 2026 – Six Palestine Action activists face a retrial following a jury's failure to reach verdicts on charges of criminal damage and grievous bodily harm stemming from a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems facility in Bristol. The incident reportedly left a female police officer with a fractured spine amid over £1 million in alleged property damage. Prosecutors at Woolwich Crown Court announced the retrial decision after partial acquittals on aggravated burglary charges for the defendants.
The trial, which spanned ten weeks and concluded on February 4, 2026, involved a group of defendants linked to the banned direct action organisation Palestine Action. The case centred on an early morning incursion at Elbit Systems' site in Filton, Bristol, on August 6, 2024. Prosecutors alleged the activists used a former prison van to ram the perimeter fence, entered the building with sledgehammers, and caused extensive disruption to equipment used in defence manufacturing.
Details of the August 2024 Elbit Facility Raid
Court proceedings revealed that approximately 20 activists participated in the coordinated action at the Elbit Systems UK facility, a subsidiary of Israel's largest defence contractor. The group accessed the site around 4am, deploying fire extinguishers filled with red paint to cover walls and destroying computers and drone-related technical equipment, according to bodycam and GoPro footage presented in evidence. Prosecutors estimated the damage at over £1 million, halting production of targeting systems and avionics components.
A key element of the prosecution case involved injury to Pc Laura Brunning, a 45-year-old officer who responded to the scene. Testimony stated she sustained a fractured vertebra in her spine after being struck by debris or pushed during the confrontation as activists resisted arrest. The charge of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent was levelled against the six defendants: Emma Head, 29; Leo Kamio, 30; Iea Rajani, 21; Joseph Corner; Ruby Devlin, 31; and one other unnamed in initial reports. No security personnel faced investigation, despite defence claims of aggressive responses from guards.
Avon and Somerset Police deployed over 50 officers, incurring significant operational costs. The activists remained inside for several hours, unfurling banners protesting Elbit's alleged supply of weapons to the Israeli military for use in Gaza—a claim the company disputes, citing compliance with UK export regulations. All defendants denied charges, asserting actions to prevent greater harm under international law.
Jury Verdicts and Retrial Decision
The jury at Woolwich Crown Court deliberated for several days before returning on February 4, 2026. They acquitted all six of aggravated burglary, finding no intent to steal or inflict immediate violence during entry. However, the panel deadlocked on criminal damage counts for the group and GBH specifically against three defendants—Rajani, Rogers, and Devlin—while clearing those three of violent disorder. Five were released on bail pending retrial, with conditions barring proximity to Elbit sites.
Judge Martin Edmunds discharged the jury after accepting it could not reach unanimous or majority verdicts on the remaining charges. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) exercised its right within seven days to seek a retrial, citing the public interest in addressing serious property destruction and officer injury. A scheduling hearing is set for late February 2026, with the full retrial likely in spring.
As public reaction mounted online, Nervana Mahmoud highlighted the injury aspect in relation to Conservative Party advocacy.
Nervana Mahmoud @Nervana_1 said in X post,
“Yes…. Palestine Action six face retrial over defence firm raid that left woman police officer with a fractured spine. Thanks to campaign by @Conservatives @CPhilpOfficial.”
Statements from Prosecutors and Defence
CPS barrister Alan Gardner described the raid as a "meticulously planned assault" on critical infrastructure, emphasising the officer's injury and economic impact.
"The jury's acquittal on burglary does not negate the evidence of deliberate damage and harm,"
he stated post-verdict. Avon and Somerset Police Federation chair John Morris welcomed the retrial, noting Pc Brunning's ongoing recovery and the toll on frontline responders.
Palestine Action celebrated the acquittals outside court, where around 100 supporters gathered. Spokesperson Sophie Stevenson said:
"Juries recognise there is no crime in stopping genocide suppliers."
The group maintains Elbit produces components for drones used by the IDF, though the firm insists its UK operations focus on non-lethal systems under MoD contracts. Defence counsel from Doughty Street Chambers argued self-defence against security staff and proportionality to alleged war crimes.
Commentator Red Lip Riots framed the jury outcome as a failure of resolve amid the retrial push.
Red Lip Riots @RedLipRiots said in X post,
“Smashing up a factory, doing £1m+ in damage, and leaving a police officer with a fractured spine isn’t “protest”. It’s violence. The retrial of Palestine Action activists matters because the first jury bottled it. Deadlocked on criminal damage and GBH? That’s not moral clarity that’s confusion. If this ends with impunity, the message is simple. Wrap brutality in politics and the law looks away. The Crown Prosecution Service is right to push on. Public safety beats performative chaos. Every time.”
Prior Palestine Action Trials Against Elbit Sites
This retrial forms part of a series of prosecutions from the August 2024 Bristol action, the largest yet against the group, proscribed as terrorist in 2025. Earlier cases include 2022 Bristol occupations where seven received suspended sentences for lesser damage. In September 2024, Liverpool Crown Court cleared nine over Silverstone vehicle sabotage. A 2023 Brighton jury acquitted three after a roof protest, but Scottish courts jailed two in 2025 for Glasgow incursions.
Elbit Systems UK reported cumulative losses exceeding £10 million from over 50 Palestine Action disruptions since 2021 across 12 sites. The firm bolstered security post-raid, including reinforced fencing. Government data indicate a 50% uptick in defence firm protests since October 2023, amid Middle East hostilities. Home Office minister Chris Philp, cited in social media, campaigned for robust enforcement.
Legal Framework and Next Steps
Charges invoke the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and Offences Against the Person Act 1861, with "lawful excuse" defences tested under Section 3. Pre-trial rulings admitted limited evidence of Elbit's exports but barred broader Gaza context. The retrial will feature a fresh jury, potentially condensed evidence, and focus on unresolved counts. Legal aid covers defence, estimated at £300,000 total.
Civil liberties groups like Liberty observed proceedings, noting hung juries in three Elbit trials since 2024. Police recorded 6,000 protest arrests UK-wide in 2025, with arms firms prominent. No further charges against the initial 20 defendants are reported, though 12 await separate hearings.