Five activists from controversial group Palestine Action been sentenced to a total of five years and two months after causing over £1 million pounds worth of damage to Thales UK, an arms factory based in Scotland.
The custodial sentences were welcomed in Parliament.
Lord Walney, the government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, told the JC: “Hopefully these custodial sentences for their criminal damage and intimidation of working people will have a similar deterrent impact to those handed down to rioters recently.
"Activists considering breaking law to get their way need to see there will be grave consequences.”
New Labour MP for North Durham Luke Akehurst said, "I welcome the court imposing an appropriate custodial sentence, which will hopefully deter such vandalism by extremists in the future. Everyone has the right to peaceful protest but not to violence, causing over £1 million in damage to a company doing vital national security work, and endangering its employees."
Pro-Palestine activists Stuart Bretherton (25), Eva Simmons (25), Calum Lacy (23), Erica Hygate (23) and Sumaya Javaid (22) scaled the roof of defence company Thales in Glasgow, unveiled banners and set off flares in June 2022.
Staff were forced to evacuate after Hygate and Javaid entered the building and set off the fire alarm. A smoke bomb was set off in the area staff were being evacuated to, causing further panic.
They also remained at the site overnight, glued themselves to the roof and refused to engage with police.
All five protesters pleaded guilty to conducting themselves in a disorderly manner while Hygate further admitted vandalism and Javaid pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
All demonstrators apart from Javaid received 12-month sentences while she was jailed for 14 months.
Sheriff John McCormick told Glasgow Sherrif Court: “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.”
Thales, jointly with Israeli defence company Elbit systems, manufactures the Watchkeeper UAV drone which provides British armed forces with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability.
