Trio Accused of £2.4 Million Damage to Israeli-Linked Defence Firm in Hampshire
Three individuals have been accused of causing an estimated £2.4 million in damage to a company linked to the Israeli military, as heard at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The defendants—Steven Davies, 57, Ian Roberts, 51, and Dolores Gnapi, 34—allegedly broke into a Keysight Technologies premises in Fleet, Hampshire, in the early hours of Sunday.
Alleged Damage and Political Motives
The trio are accused of smashing computer screens, servers, and other electronic equipment during the incident. Prosecutors stated that walls, floors, and desks were stained with red paint sprayed from a fire extinguisher, and the defendants reportedly shouted 'for Palestine' during the act.
Defence barrister Katie McFadden told the court that Keysight Technologies manufactures parts used in Elbit Systems' drones, describing it as the largest weapons supplier to Israel. She argued that these parts are 'then used in the ongoing genocide in Gaza', though this claim was part of her defence argument and not a proven fact in the case.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
All three defendants face charges of aggravated burglary with a hammer and criminal damage to property. Additionally, Ian Roberts is charged with assaulting an emergency worker. Ms McFadden, defending all three, contended that the charges were 'grossly overblown', suggesting the matter had been exaggerated to support a remand application.
Despite these claims, Steven Davies of Slade Road, Birmingham; Dolores Gnapi of Tariff Crescent, Lewisham, south-east London; and Ian Roberts of McDougall Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands, were remanded in custody. They are scheduled to appear next at the Old Bailey on May 1 for further proceedings.
Context and Implications
The case highlights tensions surrounding defence suppliers and international conflicts, with the alleged damage targeting a firm connected to Israeli military operations. The substantial financial loss and the political nature of the accusations add complexity to the legal proceedings, drawing attention to issues of activism and property destruction in protest contexts.
