A Palestine Action activist accused of taking part in a break-in at an Israeli defence company's UK factory has been described in court as a 'remarkable woman' and likened to the suffragettes by her own barrister.
The Alleged Incident at the Filton Factory
The case centres on events at the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, on 6 August 2024. The site, operated by the Israeli defence firm's UK subsidiary, was the target of what prosecutors have called a 'meticulously organised' protest.
Six individuals are standing trial at Woolwich Crown Court in south-east London. Charlotte Head, 29, is on trial alongside Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers, and Jordan Devlin.
They face charges of aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and violent disorder. Samuel Corner is additionally charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer, PC Kate Evans, who sustained a fractured spine. All defendants deny the charges.
Courtroom Comparisons and Closing Arguments
In his closing submissions on Thursday, Charlotte Head's barrister, Rajiv Menon KC, drew a direct parallel between his client and the historic suffragette movement. He told the court that suffragettes were once vilified as a 'threat to the social order' and labelled 'unladylike, feral, aggressive, violent'.
'Charlotte Head is also a remarkable woman and I say that without any reservation,' Menon stated. He detailed her background in activism, including work with refugees in Calais, and argued that any violence on the day was unplanned.
Menon also targeted Elbit Systems, describing it as a 'dreadful company' that he claimed has 'played a critical role in the killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians'.
Prosecution's Case and Judicial Direction
Earlier on Thursday, prosecutor Deanna Heer KC completed her closing arguments. She strongly rejected Samuel Corner's defence that he struck PC Evans with a sledgehammer to protect co-defendants after being sprayed with Pava spray.
Heer asserted his actions were 'nothing to do with self-defence or defence of anyone else' and that the force used was 'completely unreasonable, completely disproportionate'.
Both the prosecution and the trial judge, Mr Justice Johnson, directed the jury to set aside any personal views on the Middle East conflict. 'Your decision should be a decision in which bias, emotion, sympathy, prejudice, political views and matters of that sort play no part,' the judge instructed.
Barristers for the remaining defendants are scheduled to give closing submissions on Friday. The judge will then sum up the case, with the jury expected to retire to consider its verdict early next week.
