A trial at Woolwich Crown Court is hearing the case of Palestine Action activist Samuel Corner, 23, who is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sgt Kate Evans during a protest at an Israeli-linked Elbit Systems facility in Filton, near Bristol, on August 6, 2024. Corner, along with co-defendants Charlotte Head, 30, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, also faces charges of criminal damage related to the destruction of drones, computers, and other equipment at the factory.

The court has previously been told that Corner struck Sgt Evans in the back with a sledgehammer while she was on all fours, facing away from him, attempting to arrest Zoe Rogers. The blow fractured the officer's spine, causing her to fear paralysis. PC Peter Adams, a colleague, testified that Corner hit Sgt Evans with a 'considerable amount of force'.

Corner, who is autistic and used an anti-stress toy while giving evidence, stated that he was anxious, scared, and panicked before the incident. He recounted being sprayed 'straight in the face' with Pava spray, similar to pepper spray, and hearing co-defendants screaming. He also expressed being taken aback by the presence of security guards, as he had been informed prior that they would not confront the activists.

When questioned by his barrister, Tom Wainwright, Corner explained that he swung the sledgehammer 'To protect' a co-defendant. He said, 'I heard someone screaming… and I thought she was being seriously hurt by security.' He reiterated his intention was solely to protect and asserted, 'I would never want to seriously hurt anyone.' Corner, a former University of Oxford linguistics and philosophy student, also testified that he did not realize police officers had arrived and had believed he was dealing only with security guards. He stated he had never been arrested, been in a fight, or used violence before this incident.

Regarding the overall objective of the action, Corner told the court, 'We intended to destroy weapons and things needed to make weapons which we believed were going to be used to cause death and destruction. We wanted to shut Elbit down, shut this facility down for as long as possible so they couldn’t make or export weapons from there.' He clarified that violence against people was not part of the group's plan.

During cross-examination, prosecutor Deanna Heer KC challenged Corner on whether, as an 'intelligent person,' he would know a sledgehammer was capable of causing 'really serious harm.' Corner affirmed this knowledge but maintained that at the time, he was 'panicking, I was in pain, I’d just been pepper-sprayed.' He expressed shock and fear when arrested for grievous bodily harm, stating he wasn't expecting it and never intended such harm.

The raid itself involved the group allegedly crashing into the factory shutters with a prison van used 'as a battering ram,' and once inside, smashing equipment with sledgehammers and crowbars, and spraying red paint. Corner first encountered Palestine Action in 2020 and understood their actions involved occupying arms factories and destroying weapons and other items, but not violence to people.

Corner was held in prison since his arrest and his evidence was cut short due to him feeling unwell. He is expected to resume giving evidence, and all defendants deny the charges. The case continues.