A Palestine Action activist who struck a police officer with a sledgehammer during a protest at an Israeli-linked arms factory acted to protect a co-defendant he believed was being seriously hurt, a court has heard.
Samuel Corner, 23, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sgt Kate Evans during a raid on the Elbit Systems facility in Filton, near Bristol, on 6 August 2024. Alongside five co-defendants, he is also charged with criminal damage for destroying drones, computers and other equipment.
The trial at Woolwich crown court has previously heard that Corner hit Evans in the back with the sledgehammer while she was on all fours, facing away from him, attempting to arrest another activist, fracturing the officer’s spine. On Wednesday, Corner, who is autistic and squeezed an anti-stress toy while giving evidence, said he was anxious, scared and panicked after being sprayed with Pava spray and hearing his co-defendants screaming.
Asked by his barrister why he swung the sledgehammer, Corner said: 'To protect. I heard someone screaming … and I thought she was being seriously hurt by security.' He said he did not realise police officers had arrived, as opposed to security guards, and had never been arrested or used violence before. The former University of Oxford student said the intention was to destroy weapons believed to be used for 'death and destruction' and to shut down the facility.
In cross-examination, prosecutor Deanna Heer KC asked Corner whether as an 'intelligent person' he would know a sledgehammer could cause 'really serious harm'. He replied yes, but added: 'When I did this I was panicking, I was in pain, I’d just been pepper-sprayed.' Corner said he was 'shocked and scared' when arrested for grievous bodily harm, as he was not trying to cause serious harm. He will resume giving evidence on Thursday after proceedings were cut short because he felt unwell.
