08. May 2025

Palestine Action activist assaults police officer with sledgehammer during factory break-in

One defendant is alleged to have struck a police officer across the back using a sledgehammer

A member of the group Palestine Action is accused of attacking a police officer with a sledgehammer—causing a spinal fracture—during a coordinated break-in at an Israeli defense company, a court has been told.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that six individuals charged with breaking into Elbit Systems near Bristol had carefully orchestrated the incident on 6 August 2024, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the facility.

Charlotte Head (29), Samuel Corner (23), Leona Kamio (30), Fatema Rajwani (21), Zoe Rogers (22), and Jordan Devlin (31) face joint charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and violent disorder.

All defendants deny the allegations, while Mr. Corner also pleads not guilty to an additional charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Opening the trial on Tuesday, Mr. Justice Johnson informed jurors that the events in question predate Palestine Action’s designation as a terrorist organization this June. He emphasized that the ban was irrelevant to the case and should not be considered by the jury.

Deanna Heer KC, opening the prosecution’s case, stated that the six defendants were “willing participants” in a plan to damage the plant, which manufactures defense technology equipment.

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Dressed in red jumpsuits and armed with sledgehammers, the group used a prison van—allegedly driven by Charlotte Head—to crash through security fencing before forcing their way into the factory itself, the court was told.

Ms. Heer told the jury that each member of the “red team” carried a sledgehammer to cause destruction, but they were also prepared to use the tools as weapons.

“Evidence shows that all these defendants used the sledgehammers for that purpose: to threaten or attack security guards, and to support one another while doing so,” she said.

“When police arrived—as the defendants knew they would—Samuel Corner attacked them, going so far as to strike a female officer, Sgt. Kate Evans, across the back with his sledgehammer while she was on the ground, facing away from him.”

Ms. Heer explained that the red team gained access to the factory in just three minutes, first cutting into a roller door and then smashing through it with the prison van.

“Inside the warehouse, the red team set out to destroy as much property as possible,” Ms. Heer said, adding that the group was equipped with sledgehammers, whips, and fireworks.

“They used fire extinguishers filled with red paint to spray the walls and floor.

“They employed crowbars and hammers to damage computer equipment and boxes of technical products, which they smashed apart.

“The building’s structure was also damaged—including the loading bay, security systems, and even the disabled toilet,” she added.

Footage shown during the opening address allegedly depicts Zoe Rogers waving and swinging a sledgehammer in front of security guard Angelo Volante.

Mr. Volante also testified that he was whipped by Charlotte Head and threatened with a saw by Leona Kamio.

He initially retreated but later returned with police. As he led officers into the factory, video played to the jury on Tuesday was said to show Ms. Kamio raising her sledgehammer above her head and bringing it down toward him.

She was then tasered but continued to resist arrest. The video allegedly shows Samuel Corner approaching Sgt. Evans and striking her back with a sledgehammer.

“After hitting her once, he raised the sledgehammer again and struck her a second time,” Ms. Heer said.

“Fortunately, Sgt. Evans was wearing a stab vest that likely absorbed some of the impact. Nevertheless, she screamed in pain as she felt the force of the blows.

“She immediately feared her spine had been damaged, and when she tried to stand, she was unable to do so.”

Sgt. Evans suffered a fractured vertebra and was unable to work for three months. Due to the ongoing effects of the injury, she has been restricted to limited duties.

The trial is expected to last until January.

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Woolwich Crown Court

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