cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/42709668
4 February 2026 12:40 GMT
During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the six defendants entered the factory with sledgehammers, intending, if needed, to injure and incapacitate security guards.
But the defendants disputed that the sledgehammers were “weapons of offence”, and insisted they were intended only to damage property.
As the verdicts were being read, the defendants held hands and embraced in the dock, as families and supporters cheered and wept.
The six defendants have been held for around 18 months on remand- exceeding standard UK custodial time limits.
still on the hook for loads of other stuff
Good on the jury. After 18 months stuck on remand, these activists finally get a not guilty verdict on the big charges and a court full of supporters got to breathe for a moment. The footage of them holding hands and crying outside court says everything about how brutal pre-trial detention can be.
That said, this whole case stinks of political policing. Holding people for around 18 months, refusing bail because a judge thinks their “mindsets” won’t change, and then threatening retrial is a grotesque way to chill protest. If the CPS pushes for another go, it will feel less like seeking justice and more like trying to wear down dissent.
If you care about basic protest rights, watch this space and push back. Long remands and selective prosecutions should worry anyone who thinks civil disobedience still has a place in a democracy.
They were refused bail because they told the judge they would do it again given the opportunity. Hard to see how the judge could come to any other conclusion.
Five of the defendants were granted bail; Corner was remanded in custody.
Corner hit a police woman in the neck/back with a sledge hammer, so fuck him!
All cops are bad
Sounds like the sort of sentiments a toddler would have.
In my experience kids generally are very trusting of authority.
Any update on the health of the woman they attacked with a sledgehammer?
It would be good to see justice for her at least.
It’s in the article there:
jurors did not return a verdict on the charge faced by Corner of grievous bodily harm with intent for striking a police officer with a sledgehammer.
Here’s another interesting bit:
Bodycam footage presented to the jury appeared to show security guard Angelo Volante allegedly striking defendant Devlin in the neck with a sledgehammer, knocking him to the ground.
A series of images and a body map detailing Devlin’s injuries, including a black eye, was presented to the jury.
In another clip, Volante is seen brandishing a whip and running towards Devlin, who was unarmed. He then picked up a sledgehammer and swung it at Devlin and co-defendant Rogers.
Let’s hope there’s some justice for the protesters, eh?
I would hope the guard is also subject to a rigorous investigation and charged if an offence has been committed.
Well if they have, then the prosecution in that case certainly haven’t been as energetic in propagandising the violence as the prosecution for the crown.
You seem to be someone who has faith in institutions. Do you not think justice has been done? The jury saw the same video you did and didn’t believe it to be GBH with intent. So the officer who was injured has had her justice.
There’s only one prosecution
So it would be a different case, with a different prosecution, if the protesters were bringing charges against the security guard, no?
Protestors can’t bring charges. Only the CPS can prosecute.
I wasn’t in court so I can’t know what evidence was put forward and I wasn’t in the jury so I can’t know what they decided. According to the article they can be re tried and the mand who attacked the woman with a hammer is still in jail awaiting trial so there is hope of justice yet.
So for you, justice will only be done when a jury finds him guilty? Because he’s already been tried by jury once
Bootlicking scum
Great arguement you have there.
In my view private companies profiting from genocide are fair game for these tactics and clearly the jury agrees.
Battering someone with a sledgehammer isn’t.
“Someone”.
Yeah they just battered any old random person, definitely.
Bootlicking scum.
You seem very extreme in your views, perhaps you should take an internet break to find yourself a sense of perspective.
The only extremist is you, you bootlicking scum.
Part your hand from cock and fuck off.
I’m sorry you feel that way. Here is a link to some resources about healthy internet habits: https://saferinternet.org.uk/
Be well.
