Four activists associated with Palestine Action may be sentenced as terrorists following their conviction for criminal damage at an Israeli arms manufacturer’s site in the UK. The possibility remains despite the fact that the jury was not informed of a judicial ruling regarding a “terrorist connection” during the trial.
The Convictions at Woolwich Crown Court
Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona Kamio, 30, and Fatema Rajwani, 21, were convicted of criminal damage. The charges stem from a 2024 break-in at the Elbit Systems UK site located near Bristol.
The group was found guilty of smashing drones and other equipment at the factory. While criminal damage is not ordinarily considered a terrorist offence, the legal proceedings took an unusual turn regarding the classification of the act.
The Secret “Terrorist Connection” Ruling
Mr Justice Johnson ruled before the first trial that there appeared to be a “terrorist connection” to the offences. This ruling was maintained through a retrial, but the judge restricted this information from being disclosed to the jury.
In a March 2025 ruling, Justice Johnson addressed arguments from defence barrister Rajiv Menon KC, who stated the purpose of the action was to save lives by damaging weapons. The judge accepted this as one motivating factor but concluded that another purpose could have been to influence the Israeli government by damaging property made available to it.
Severe Sentencing Implications
Reporting restrictions on the terrorism connection ruling were lifted on Tuesday. A separate determination will now be made at sentencing, based on the criminal standard of proof, to decide if a terrorism connection exists.
If the court makes this determination, the four defendants could face significantly harsher penalties. Beyond longer prison terms, they could be recorded as terrorists for life.
Such a designation would require them to register any new bank account, email address, device, or relationship with the police for the rest of their lives. Failure to comply or making a mistake could result in being sent back to prison.
Restrictions on Evidence and Motivation
The judge also barred the defendants from presenting evidence regarding their motivations during the trial. In a ruling on April 21, Justice Johnson stated they could not provide evidence on their reasons for joining Palestine Action or their beliefs regarding the legality of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The court deemed such evidence irrelevant to the issues the jury was required to determine, effectively preventing the defendants from arguing a “lawful excuse” for the criminal damage.
Concerns Over Legal Precedent
A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries expressed alarm, stating the public would be “astonished” that protesters could be convicted of criminal damage and then sentenced as terrorists without being convicted of terror charges.
The organization warned that this sequence of events could set a dangerous precedent for future protest cases within the British justice system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the activists convicted in this case?
The convicted individuals are Charlotte Head (29), Samuel Corner (23), Leona Kamio (30), and Fatema Rajwani (21).
What specific actions led to the criminal damage charges?
The activists were convicted for a 2024 break-in at the Elbit Systems UK site near Bristol, where they smashed drones and other equipment.
What happens if the court determines there was a terrorism connection?
The defendants could be required to serve their whole sentence in prison unless a parole board approves release after two-thirds of the term. They could be required to register personal details, such as bank accounts and relationships, with the police for life.
Do you believe the jury should have been informed of the potential “terrorist connection” before delivering their verdict?
