A Palestine Action protester allegedly fractured a police officer's spine and attacked her with a sledgehammer during a break-in at an Israeli-linked weapons factory in Bristol, a court has heard. Samuel Corner, 23, is among a group of activists accused of crashing through a gate with an old prison van at Elbit Systems UK in Patchway on August 5 last year.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told Woolwich Crown Court that the attack was 'meticulously organised', with participants wearing red or black jumpsuits and armed with sledgehammers, axes, fireworks, and a paintball gun. The 'black team' overwhelmed security guards while the 'red team' caused damage to buildings, the court was told.
Police Sergeant Kate Evans suffered back injuries after allegedly being struck with a sledgehammer by Corner, who denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Security guard Nigel Shaw, who was not scheduled to work that night but was called in due to a fence breach, was also injured when activists launched fireworks at him as he approached with only an umbrella.
Corner, along with Charlotte Head, 29, Leona Kamio, 30, Fateema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, all deny aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and violent disorder. The trial continues.
