Three more charged after South Gloucestershire office attack

All three are due in court later today

Author: Piers Mucklejohn, PAPublished 16th Aug 2024

Three more people have been charged over a Palestine Action protest at an Israeli-based defence firm's site in South Gloucestershire, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said.

The incident happened at the Elbit Systems UK building near Patchway, Bristol, on August 6 with protesters allegedly breaking into the firm's premises carrying sledgehammers.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would be submitting to the court that the offences have a "terrorist connection".

On Friday, CTPSE said three people had been jointly charged with criminal damage and aggravated burglary in relation to the incident.

Ian Sanders, 45, of Regent Place, Royal Leamington Spa; William Plastow, 33, of High Croft Avenue, Manchester; and Madeline Norman, 29, of Wester Drylaw Drive, Edinburgh; will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Norman is also charged with violent disorder.

Seven individuals who had previously been charged appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The court heard a vehicle was driven into the building's doors during the protest and two responding police officers and a security guard had been injured.

The defendants were all remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on September 13.

CTPSE said employees of the company had also been "seriously assaulted" and "extensive damage" was done to the building.

Avon & Somerset Police said on Tuesday it was "not aware of any wider risk to the local community in South Gloucestershire" and the incident was not connected with recent incidents of violent disorder seen across the UK.

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