Palestine Action Activists Cleared of Burglary but Court Fails to Resolve Remaining Charges
Six British pro-Palestinian activists, known collectively in the press as the Filton 6, have been found not guilty of aggravated burglary in connection with a high-profile break-in at the Elbit Systems UK facility near Bristol in August 2024.
The decision followed a prolonged trial at Woolwich Crown Court, which drew intense public and political attention.
The defendants — Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Zainab Rajwani, Zoe Rogers, and Jordan Devlin — had denied charges arising from the early-morning raid on the Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems’ Filton compound, which prosecutors said involved breaching the perimeter, damaging property including computer equipment and drones, and confronting security personnel.
After more than 36 hours of jury deliberation, the jury unanimously acquitted all six of the central offence of aggravated burglary, a charge that had carried the potential for significant custodial sentences.
However the judge was unable to return verdicts on several additional charges:
Criminal Damage: The jury failed to reach a verdict on this count after extended deliberations.
Violent Disorder: Three of the activists — Rajwani, Rogers, and Devlin — were acquitted, but the jury could not agree on verdicts for Head, Corner, and Kamio.
Causing Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH):
Samuel Corner faced a separate allegation of causing GBH with intent after a police sergeant was injured during the incident; the jury was hung on this charge.
Prosecutors have confirmed that they are reviewing whether to seek a retrial on the unresolved charges, particularly the criminal damage and GBH counts.
A further court date has been scheduled to determine next steps, with legal teams expected to make submissions later this month.
The break-in at the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, on 6 August 2024 involved the use of a repurposed prison van to breach the site’s outer security, after which activists used sledgehammers and other implements to damage equipment.
Police body-worn footage shown during the trial allegedly showed one defendant striking a police sergeant, who suffered a fractured spine.
The defendants and their supporters have portrayed the actions as political protest against arms production linked to Israel’s use of military equipment in the ongoing Gaza conflict, a defence the prosecution contested vigorously.
Supporters celebrated outside the court after the verdicts, while some elected officials and campaigners have called for further legal action over the unresolved charges.
