Filton
Coverage of Filton in the Nexus archive.
- Palestine Action trial lawyer’s prosecution criticised as ‘chilling’ for profession
The Criminal Bar Association chair criticized the prosecution of human rights barrister Rajiv Menon KC for contempt of court over his closing speech during a trial of Palestine Action activists. The prosecution has raised concerns about its impact on legal professionals' willingness to perform their duties.
- Palestine Action defendant ‘missed the last year’ of his mother’s life while behind bars
William Plastow, a defendant accused of involvement in a Palestine Action raid on an Israeli-owned arms factory, stated he missed the last year of his mother's life while held on remand. He was arrested in August 2024 and spent 18 months in custody before being granted bail for four days to be with his mother, who died of terminal cancer.
- Palestine Action defendant ‘missed the last year’ of his mother’s life while behind bars
William Plastow, a defendant in a Palestine Action case, was held on remand for 18 months and missed the final year of his mother’s life before being granted bail to be with her. He faces criminal damage charges related to a 2024 raid on an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, but was acquitted of violent disorder.
- Palestine Action trial lawyer wins appeal against contempt of court charge
Rajiv Menon KC, a leading human rights barrister, has won an appeal against his referral for contempt of court over his closing speech during a trial of Palestine Action activists. The trial was related to a 2024 direct action protest at Elbit Systems UK in Filton, near Bristol. Menon was accused of breaching the judge's directions.
- Barrister in Palestine Action trial facing contempt of court proceedings
Rajiv Menon KC, a human rights barrister, is facing contempt of court proceedings for allegedly defying a judge's orders during a trial of Palestine Action activists. The trial is related to a 2024 direct action protest at Elbit Systems UK in Filton, near Bristol. Menon is accused of breaching the judge's directions while giving his closing speech.
- Four Palestine Action activists convicted of criminal damage
Four Palestine Action activists were convicted of criminal damage for breaking into an Israeli defence firm's UK site and smashing property. The activists, including Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, and Fatema Rajwani, were found guilty after a jury deliberated for over 14 hours. The break-in occurred at Elbit Systems' factory in Filton, near Bristol, on August 6, 2024.
- Palestine Action activist who hit officer with sledgehammer ‘panicked’, court told
Samuel Corner, a 23-year-old Palestine Action activist, struck police officer Sgt Kate Evans with a sledgehammer during a 2024 protest at an Elbit Systems facility near Bristol. Corner claimed he acted to protect a co-defendant he believed was being seriously harmed, as reported in court.
- Palestine Action activists wanted to smash up Elbit Systems’ property, court told
Six Palestine Action activists attempted to destroy drones and computers at an Israeli-linked arms factory in Filton, UK, using sledgehammers and crowbars. The prosecution alleges the defendants intended to damage property before police arrived, with the incident occurring on 6 August last year.
- Bristol UWE student charged with murder of housemate Jamie Collins
Zack Coughlan, a student at the University of the West of England, has been charged with murdering his housemate Jamie Collins, 21, who was found dead in their shared property in Filton, Bristol. The incident occurred on 9 April after Collins suffered multiple stab wounds in the rear garden of the property.