Activists Cleared After Harassment Conviction Appeal
In a significant ruling, two pro-Palestinian activists have successfully overturned their convictions for harassing Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones. The case, which centred on a confrontation during the general election campaign, was dismissed at Cardiff Crown Court after a judge determined the prosecutions were unnecessary.
The Confrontation and Initial Conviction
Ayeshah Behit, 32, and Hiba Ahmed, 26, were originally found guilty of the harassment offence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court in June. The charges stemmed from an incident on 26 June last year in Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where the MP was campaigning.
Ms Davies-Jones, who is now parliamentary under-secretary of state for victims, told the court she approached the activists after seeing leaflets they were holding. The leaflets suggested she was a "full-blown supporter of this genocide" in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The MP stated she had initially tried to defuse the situation, but the conversation became confrontational when they questioned why she had abstained on a Commons ceasefire vote.
A video played in court showed the pair shouting as the MP walked away. "It was becoming quite scary," Ms Davies-Jones testified. An edited version of this interaction was later posted on social media, accompanied by accusations that she was racist and Islamophobic.
Appeal and Judge's Ruling
Challenging the magistrates' court verdict, the appellants denied harassing the MP and argued they were exercising their right to free speech. Their legal representative, Francesca Cociani, emphasised that the encounter occurred in a public place within the MP's constituency during a national election campaign.
At the Cardiff Crown Court hearing on Wednesday, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke acknowledged the activists' actions formed part of a "planned and well-orchestrated campaign" aimed at harming the MP's electoral prospects. However, she noted that less intrusive measures, such as a police warning or civil action, were not pursued before prosecution.
Judge Lloyd-Clarke stated: "We are not satisfied that a prosecution was necessary... the appeals of both defendants are allowed." She was careful to add that the judgment should not be interpreted as validating the accusations made against Ms Davies-Jones.
Following the ruling, the original sentences were quashed. Ms Ahmed, who had no previous convictions, had been given a 12-month conditional discharge. Ms Behit, who had a previous conviction relating to a protest in Cardiff, had received an 18-month conditional discharge.
