Several Palestine Action activists are currently remanded in custody following their conviction at Woolwich Crown Court on 5 May 2026. Four members — Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani — were found guilty of criminal damage arising from an action at an arms manufacturer’s factory in Bristol in August 2024. Samuel Corner was additionally convicted of causing grievous bodily harm without intent. The group are being held on remand pending sentencing, which is provisionally scheduled for 12 June 2026.

Who Is Palestine Action?

Palestine Action is a UK-based direct action group that campaigns against UK companies it believes are involved in arms manufacturing linked to Israel. The group became known for a series of high-profile actions targeting factories, offices, and facilities connected to defence contractors, including incidents involving paint, tools, and property damage.

In July 2025, the UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000, making membership, support, or association with the group a potential criminal offence. The proscription was controversial and was challenged by civil liberties organisations who argued it represented an excessive restriction on protest rights. Nonetheless, the designation remained in force at the time of the 2026 trial, and prosecutors treated the case as terrorism-related.

What Happened at the Bristol Factory?

On 6 August 2024, a group of Palestine Action activists carried out a direct action at the Elbit Systems UK research hub in Filton, Bristol. Elbit Systems is an Israeli defence technology company with UK operations, and it has been a frequent target of Palestine Action protests. During the action, activists entered or attempted to enter the site and caused damage to property. Samuel Corner was alleged to have struck a police officer with a sledgehammer during the incident.

The four defendants — Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani — were arrested following the action and subsequently charged. They were remanded in custody for a prolonged period while awaiting trial, spending approximately 21 months on remand before the verdict was returned in May 2026.

The Convictions: What Were They Found Guilty Of?

At Woolwich Crown Court, the jury found Charlotte Head, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani guilty of criminal damage. Samuel Corner was found guilty of criminal damage and additionally convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, relating to the alleged striking of a police officer. All four were convicted on 5 May 2026 following a trial presided over by Mr Justice Johnson.

Criminal damage is an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and can carry a maximum sentence of ten years where the value of damage is significant or the offending is aggravated. GBH without intent, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, carries a maximum sentence of five years. Given the terrorism-related designation of the case by the Crown Prosecution Service, sentencing may take into account additional aggravating factors.

Why Are They Remanded in Custody?

Immediately following the guilty verdicts, Mr Justice Johnson ordered that all four defendants be remanded in custody pending sentencing. Courts remand defendants after conviction where there is a risk of flight, a risk of further offending, or where the seriousness of the anticipated sentence makes it appropriate to keep the defendant in custody. In this case, the judge determined that remand was warranted given the gravity of the offences and the terrorism-related context of the prosecution.

The defendants had already spent approximately 21 months on remand prior to their conviction, meaning the time already served in custody will be credited against any custodial sentence imposed at the sentencing hearing. Sentencing is provisionally scheduled for 12 June 2026. If you are a family member of someone being held on remand, our guide explains how to book a prison visit and how to send money to a prisoner on remand.

The Terrorism Designation

The proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in July 2025 significantly raised the stakes of any subsequent prosecutions involving its members. The Crown Prosecution Service flagged the Bristol factory case as terrorism-related, which can have consequences for how and where sentences are served, as well as for the length of sentence imposed. Prisoners convicted of terrorism-related offences are subject to different release rules and may be required to serve a higher proportion of their sentence before being considered for release.

Whether the sentencing judge treats the criminal damage and GBH convictions as terrorism offences, or sentences under standard provisions, will be determined at the June 2026 hearing. The outcome is expected to attract considerable public and media attention. For information about how UK sentencing works in serious cases, see our guide on the Parole Board UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Palestine Action members in prison in 2026?

Four Palestine Action activists — Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani — were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court on 5 May 2026 of criminal damage at an arms factory in Bristol. Samuel Corner was also convicted of GBH without intent. All four were remanded in custody pending sentencing.

What did Palestine Action members do to be convicted?

The four activists were convicted in connection with an action at the Elbit Systems UK factory in Filton, Bristol on 6 August 2024. They caused criminal damage to the property. Samuel Corner was additionally found to have caused grievous bodily harm without intent to a police officer during the incident.

Are Palestine Action members terrorists under UK law?

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000 by the UK government in July 2025. This makes membership, support, or encouragement of the group a criminal offence. The Crown Prosecution Service treated the Bristol factory prosecution as terrorism-related, though the specific convictions were for criminal damage and GBH rather than terrorism offences.

How long could Palestine Action members be sentenced to?

The maximum sentence for criminal damage in serious cases is ten years’ imprisonment. GBH without intent carries a maximum of five years. The terrorism-related context of the case may result in longer sentences or different release conditions. The sentencing hearing is provisionally scheduled for 12 June 2026.

How long were Palestine Action members on remand before conviction?

The four defendants spent approximately 21 months on remand in custody before their conviction in May 2026. The action at the Bristol factory took place in August 2024. Time spent on remand is credited against any custodial sentence imposed at the sentencing hearing.