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Palestine Action supporters planned to smash up Kent factory, court hears
Overview
A court has heard that Palestine Action supporters carried out a carefully planned raid on the Instro Precision factory in Sandwich, Kent, armed with sledgehammers, bolt cutters, smoke bombs, and fireworks to cause extensive damage. Nine defendants are on trial at the Old Bailey facing charges of criminal damage, burglary with intent, and violent disorder, all of which they deny.
Key points
- Nine defendants are on trial at the Old Bailey denying charges of criminal damage, burglary with intent, and violent disorder.
- The prosecution stated that the group targeted the Instro Precision factory in Sandwich on 17 June 2024 because of its association with Israeli-linked defence company Elbit.
- During the dawn raid, a security guard was sprayed with red paint and another's vehicle was smashed up.
- Attackers were split into groups, with one team wearing black boiler suits to overwhelm security and another in red to enter the building and cause damage.
- The prosecution alleged that the defendants used a rented safe house in Herne Bay and a hired white van to facilitate the operation.