Jailed, the protesters who caused £1million worth of damage at a weapons factory during pro-Palestinian demonstration
- The five protesters scaled the Thales UK building in Glasgow in June 2022
- They unfurled banners, erected flags and ignited pyrotechnics on the roof
- Sheriff sentences the five to a total of five years and two months
A group of Pro-Palestinian protesters who caused over £1million of damage at a Scots weapons factory were jailed for a total of five years and two months yesterday.
Stuart Bretherton and Eva Simmons, both 25, Calum Lacy and Erica Hygate, both 23, and Sumaya Javaid, 22, scaled the Thales UK building in Glasgow in June 2022.
The quintet, of whom two were Scottish, remained on the roof, unfurled banners and erected flags as well as ignited pyrotechnics.
The building, in Govan, had its fire alarm activated after Hygate and Javaid entered the building prompting an evacuation.
A smoke bomb was thrown into the area staff were gathering causing panic.
Palestinian flags were flown on the roof of the Thales UK building in Glasgow
The protesters set off smoke bombs on the roof of the building during their protest in 2022
Two of the protesters remained at the building overnight and glued themselves to the roof after refusing to engage with police.
A total of £1,130,783 of damage with the premises shut amid safety concerns.
Bretherton, of Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, Simmons, of London, Lacy who is from Edinburgh plus Hygate and Javaid, both of Birmingham, pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to conducting themselves in a disorderly manner.
Hygate further admitted to a malicious mischief charge as did Javaid who also separately pled to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Javaid was jailed for 14 months while the rest received 12-month sentences.
A total of six police officers and five security staff were in the courtroom.
Some of the protesters and members of the public gallery were emotional after the sheriff gave his verdict , shouting ‘free, free Palestine’ as the accused were led into custody.
Sheriff John McCormick said police had spotted the protesters in the perimeter dressed in overalls, some with rucksacks and balaclavas at 6.25am.
Officers witnessed them scaling the fence using ladders adding: ‘You were confined to the roof of the main building, you attempted to climb on a derelict water tower and beckoned others.
‘You unfurled banners and unveiled flags. Palestinian protesters gathered adjacent to the site and showed support for you.
‘Multiple police resources arrived and were positioned around the building.
‘Miss Hygate and Miss Javaid entered the building through the roof and caused damage including to parts essential to submarines.
‘Fire alarms were activated which caused an evacuation and confusion as well as panic among staff.
‘You set off pyrotechnics and smoke bombs - some thrown in the area where staff where evacuated.
‘The smoke was dangerously close to the members of staff.’
He added Bretherton, who ran an online campaign to raise funds to pay for his legal fees, Simmons and Lacy were seen moving on the rooftop before gathering their belongings claiming they were about to climb down.
But Hygate and Javaid refused to budge and remained overnight after refusing to engage with a police liaison.
Sheriff McCormick added: ‘You glued your hands to the edge of the roof and remained there until officers were able to take your hands away.
‘Miss Javaid was obstructive and required leg restraints.
‘The court has to have regard to the major impact this had - the impact on employees as well as police and emergency services resources.
‘A total of 20 constables, one inspector and two sergeants were there over two days or four shifts.
‘The premises were shut due to safety concerns and disrupting business activities which included matters of nationwide security.
‘The damage caused cost £1,130,783 which does not include the cost to the public purse, police or emergency service personnel.’
The sheriff stated that in one background report, one of the protesters claimed their actions were non violent.
Disagreeing, he added: ‘Throwing pyrotechnics at areas where people are being evacuated to cannot be described as non violent.’
He told the group they were ‘young and intelligent’ and that everyone had the right to lawful protest, concluding: ‘You expressed a high level of regret to your actions and I give weight to that.
‘Due to the gravity and the consequences, there is no suitable alternative to custody.’
Activists occupy the roof of the Thales UK arms factory on June 1, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland
Workers are forced to leave the Thales UK arms factory after protesters occupied the roof of the facility on June 1, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland
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