Palestine Action trial jury dismissed after 37 hours of deliberation
Eight defendants charged over a raid on the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, on August 6 2024
A jury has been discharged in the trial of eight Palestine Action supporters accused of helping to organise an attack on an Israel-linked weapons manufacturer in the UK.
The defendants are charged over a raid on the Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, on August 6 2024.
None of them were at the scene at the time but their plans allegedly included compiling an equipment list, reconnaissance, and purchasing tools and weapons used by others.
The defendants are: William Plastow, 35, of Manchester; Teuta Hoxha, 30, of Southwark, south-east London; Hannah Davidson, 53, and Madeleine Norman, 31, both from Edinburgh; Ian Sanders, 47, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire; Aleksandra Herbich, 42, of Brent, north-west London; Sean Middlebrough, 34, of Liverpool; and Julija Brigadirova, 34, from Chorlton, Manchester.
They are charged with criminal damage, with all but Plastow also accused of violent disorder.
They deny wrongdoing.
The Old Bailey trial was opened on June 22 and Judge Patrick Field first sent the jury out to deliberate on verdicts on August 6.
On Wednesday, the judge discharged the jury after 37 hours of deliberations and set a mention hearing in the case for September 14.