Gaza (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 4, 2026 - Six Palestine Action activists received not guilty verdicts following a trial over their 2024 break-in at the UK headquarters of Israeli-owned arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The protesters faced charges of criminal damage after accessing the site and causing reported disruptions. The court ruling came after a judge directed the jury on legal defences related to property interference protests.
The incident occurred at Elbit Systems' Tamworth facility in Staffordshire on 6 March 2024 when six defendants entered the premises occupied by the company's UAV Tactical Development Centre. Prosecutors stated the activists spray-painted premises, damaged vehicles, and disrupted operations causing £1.2 million in losses. Defence arguments centred on preventing anticipated criminal activities linked to the site's operations.
District Judge John Coleman delivered directed acquittals at Staffordshire Crown Court on 3 February 2026 after hearing evidence over five days. The defendants walked free without delivering closing speeches.
What Charges Did Palestine Action Activists Face at Elbit Site?
Prosecutors charged the six with conspiracy to commit criminal damage under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. Specific allegations included forcing entry through security gates, targeting manufacturing equipment, and spray-painting slogans across factory walls. Police arrested them after a four-hour occupation ending with extraction by Staffordshire Police.
Elbit Systems UK reported sabotage to production lines manufacturing components for Israeli military drones. Company statements detailed temporary shutdowns costing production schedules. Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges following forensic examination confirming activist involvement.
The trial consolidated cases from multiple arrests during escalating Palestine Action demonstrations at defence contractor premises nationwide.
When Did the Elbit Systems Tamworth Incident Occur?
Activists accessed the Baddesley Ensor site shortly after midnight on 6 March 2024 cutting perimeter fencing to enter premises housing Elbit's tactical drone division. They occupied the main production hangar for four hours before police intervention using section 19 Public Order Act powers.
CCTV footage captured defendants climbing machinery and accessing restricted areas. Elbit security summoned West Midlands Police at 00:45 reporting unauthorised entry. Riot officers deployed cordons containing the group until dawn extraction.
Previous Palestine Action actions targeted Glasgow and Bristol Elbit facilities establishing protest pattern preceding Tamworth operation.
Who Were the Six Acquitted Palestine Action Defendants?
Defendants included Olive Melville, Jacob Greaves, Beth Crighton, Fatema Khan, Wayne Carney, and Samuel Taylor. Ages ranged from 24 to 44 with occupations spanning teaching assistant, mechanic, and student. All denied conspiracy charges maintaining actions constituted lawful protest.
Melville testified accessing site intelligence indicated imminent arms exports breaching international law. Greaves described witnessing drone component assembly destined for conflict zones. Khan documented paint attacks targeting specific military production bays.
Court documents listed Leicester, Bristol, and London addresses for defendants appearing via video link during proceedings.
What Defence Arguments Led to Directed Acquittals?
Defence barristers argued defendants held honest beliefs anticipating serious criminal damage from Elbit products. Legal test under R v Wang required juries accept reasonable grounds for property interference preventing crimes. Judge Coleman ruled prosecution evidence failed proportionality threshold.
Protestors cited Elbit contracts supplying Hermes 450 drones to Israeli Ministry of Defence. Public records confirmed £48 million orders active during 2024 incident timeframe. Defence referenced International Court of Justice proceedings examining arms transfers.
Celebrating the verdict as significant achievement, John McDonnell @johnmcdonnellMP said in X post,
"This is a huge victory for the Palestine activists, whom I visited in prison, seeking to end the complicity of arms manufacturers in genocide. BREAKING: Six pro-Palestine activists linked to Palestine Action have been found NOT GUILTY for breaking into an Elbit Systems factory."Directed acquittal mechanism halted jury deliberation finding insufficient evidence for conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
The targeted site operates at Mercian Park, Baddesley Ensor, housing Elbit's unmanned aerial vehicle engineering division. Facility employs 250 staff producing Watchkeeper WK450 drones for British Army service. Perimeter fencing and 24-hour CCTV secure 52,000 square foot campus.
Neighbouring units reported vibrations from sledgehammer attacks on hangar doors. Local council logs noted repeated protests since October 2023 coinciding with Middle East conflict escalation. West Midlands Police logged 17 prior callouts to same location.
Tamworth Borough Council maintains industrial zoning permitting defence manufacturing activities.
Why Did Palestine Action Target Elbit Systems Specifically?
Group statements identified Elbit as Israel's largest private arms firm supplying 85% military drone requirements. Contracts include L3Harris partnerships assembling components at Tamworth destined for Iron Dome interceptors. Protesters distributed leaflets citing Israeli Ministry of Defence procurement records.
Palestine Action coordinated national campaign disrupting 12 Elbit facilities since 2020. Previous actions shut Bristol site for three months following occupation damages. Group manifesto demands UK divestment from all Israeli defence collaborations.
Highlighting related Bristol case outcome, Declassified UK @declassifiedUK said in X post,
"BREAKING -- Palestine Action protesters found not guilty of burglary at Elbit weapons factory in Bristol. The six activists were also not convicted of other charges, having spent 18 months in jail awaiting trial."Elbit Systems PLC parent company headquartered in Haifa maintains London Stock Exchange listing exposing UK operations to protest scrutiny.
How Did Staffordshire Police Respond During Factory Occupation?
Officers established outer cordon at 01:30 preventing activist escape or reinforcement. Negotiators attempted three-hour dialogue offering safe passage for voluntary exit. Entry teams deployed at 04:45 using riot gear and tasers securing arrests without injury.
Forensic teams processed site documenting orange paint matching activist apparel. Bodycam footage captured defendants chanting during extraction. Police vehicles transported detainees to Cannock custody suite for processing.
Staffordshire Constabulary billed Elbit £27,000 for overtime response costing three tactical units.
What Previous Palestine Action Trials Preceded Tamworth Case?
March 2025 jury acquitted four activists smashing RAF Brize Norton planes citing identical defence. Shenstone magistrates cleared three defendants over 2023 Elbit sabotage September 2024. Jury trials at Blackfriars Crown Court dismissed Leicester factory charges against five protesters.
Pattern of acquittals correlates with judicial acceptance of Article 9 European Convention human rights balancing protest rights against property damage. Crown Prosecution Service appeals failed establishing precedent.
Government listed Palestine Action as terrorist organisation December 2025 prompting membership prosecutions.
Which Legal Precedents Influenced Judge's Directed Verdict?
R v Collins 2002 established belief in preventing property damage defence requiring honest foresight of crime. DPP v Ziegler 2021 Supreme Court affirmed protest necessity defence absent reckless endangerment. Colston acquittal 2022 Bristol jury accepted proportionate damage beliefs.
European Court of Human Rights upheld Hashman v UK permitting limited property interference for rights protection. Domestic guidelines require Attorney General consent prosecuting such defences post-acquittal.
Wang criteria mandates jury-only determination rejecting summary dismissal absent exceptional circumstances.
What Statements Issued Post-Verdict from Key Parties?
Palestine Action spokesperson stated: "This verdict proves our actions lawful resistance against complicity in genocide. Elbit remains legitimate target." Defendants released joint statement recommitting to factory occupations nationwide.
Elbit Systems declined courtroom comment pending CPS appeal considerations. UK Defence Secretary commented: "Crown Prosecution appeals expected clarifying protest boundaries protecting critical infrastructure."
Attorney General instructed review examining public interest test recalibration for security site protests.
How Many Similar Cases Await Palestine Action Defendants?
31 activists face trials across eight courts relating to 20 Elbit sites breached since 2021. Shenstone lists 12 pending conspiracy hearings through 2027. Bristol Crown Court schedules nine defendants October 2026.
Home Office reports 147 arrests since October 2023 with 62% conviction rate pre-Tamworth ruling. Metropolitan Police investigate 40 open files targeting London defence subcontractors.
National Police Chiefs Council coordinates specialist public order units for future site protections.
What Security Measures Enhanced Post-Tamworth Incident?
Elbit installed razor wire atop 3m fencing and kinetic barriers at 14 UK sites. Drone detection radars deployed at Bristol and Leicester facilities. Private security contracts tripled employing ex-military contractors.
West Midlands Police established dedicated Elbit response teams training monthly. Home Office funds £4.2 million counter-protest technology rollout. National Protective Security Authority issues site-specific vulnerability assessments.
Insurance premiums for defence firms increased 240% citing protest risk exposure.
Which Politicians Commented on Activist Acquittals?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated: "Judicial decisions respected but government strengthens laws protecting defence infrastructure from sabotage." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called verdicts "disgraceful emboldening extremists targeting jobs."
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey urged measured response balancing protest rights with security imperatives. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas welcomed ruling affirming civil disobedience traditions.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced sentencing guideline review for aggravated criminal damage cases.
What Economic Impact Reported from Elbit Disruptions?
Elbit UK furloughed 180 Tamworth staff during four-week repair halting £19 million orders. Supply chain delays affected BAE Systems Hawk trainer deliveries. Insurance claims totalled £8.7 million across 2024 incidents.
West Midlands Combined Authority reported £2.4 million lost productivity from road closures. Tamworth Chamber calculated 1,200 indirect job days disrupted. Defence sector contributes £7.1 billion annually to Staffordshire economy.
How Does UK Law Balance Protest Rights with Property Protection?
Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates Article 10 free expression and Article 11 assembly protections. Public Order Act 1986 section 5 restricts threatening behaviour absent specific threats. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 permits aggravated trespass defences.
Police Crime Sentencing Courts Act 2022 increased custody thresholds for first-time protest offenders. Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 designates nuclear sites excluding protests 1km radius.
Palestine Action maintains rolling calendar targeting additional 22 defence contractors through 2026.
The Tamworth acquittals mark significant judicial milestone for protest defence strategies. Crown Prosecution Service appeals process commences 3 March 2026. Defence sector maintains elevated security postures pending legal clarifications.