Five Palestine Action members caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they sprayed and daubed red paint on a business estate, a jury has heard.
Dressed predominantly in red boiler suits, the protesters targeted the main external lobby area, a security booth and pedestrian entrance at Discovery Park in Sandwich on the morning of September 9, 2024.
CCTV and police bodyworn camera footage played at Canterbury Crown Court today (Tuesday) showed the extent of the alleged damage, originally estimated to be as much as £90,000 but now said to be about £15,000.
It also captured the sight of protest banners aimed at one of the onsite companies – Instro Precision – and sound of chants such as “Free Palestine”, “Shut down Instro” and “Stop Elbit”, a reference to Instro owners Elbit Systems.
On trial and each facing a charge of damaging property are Claire Garcia, 28, of Ilderton Road, New Cross, south east London, Christy North, 38, of Castle Bridge Road, Nottingham, Tea Southwell, 23, of Clarendon Road, Reading, Berkshire, 37-year-old Jay Smith – formerly known as Janina Smith – of St John’s Road, Tottenham, north London, and 33-year-old Reverie Menniss, of Salisbury Road, Canterbury.
Opening the case against the defendants, prosecutor Caroline Knight told the court: “Whatever your political views, whatever their political views, whatever anyone’s political views, their actions that morning were acts of criminal damage against a legitimate business, namely Discovery Park.
“At about 7am on September 9, security staff called police to report that protesters were on site, spraying red paint at Discovery Park property at Gate A, Gate C and at the Innovation Centre main entrance, and causing an obstruction.
“The protesters were displaying signs saying ‘Palestine Action’, ‘Free Palestine’, ‘Stop Elbit’ and ‘Shut down Instro’.
“Police arrived and observed the protesters…After some discussion the protesters were peacefully arrested and removed.”
At Gate C, Garcia and North are alleged to have damaged the ground and security cabin, having climbed onto the roof and sprayed paint using extinguishers. An unfurled banner read ‘Palestine Action’.
Southwell, wearing a black Palestine Action T-shirt, was found by police secured to a pedestrian entrance with a ‘D bar’ locking mechanism, sitting on the pavement, and covered and surrounded by paint.
Ms Knight said that Smith and Menniss climbed above the main entrance doors to Discovery Park House, sprayed paint onto the lobby windows and ground, and displayed a banner reading ‘Shut Down Instro’.
The pair, who could be heard protesting loudly, refused to come down, resulting in officers having to climb a ladder to arrest them.
After playing the footage to the jury, Ms Knight added: “The Crown say, on the face of it, a simple and straightforward case of criminal damage.
“It’s quite plain all five of the defendants went there with the intention in mind to spray the red paint all over Discovery Park in various locations and, whatever their motive, the Crown say that’s a criminal act and not justified.”
The court heard that Discovery Park is the landlord for a number of firms, with Discovery Park House having up to nine tenants.
However, although Instro Precision is based on the business park it does not occupy the targeted building.
All five defendants, described by the prosecutor as “young people of good character”, gave ‘No comment’ interviews following their arrests.
At the start of the trial, Judge Sarah Counsell told jurors that it was not until June last year – nine months after the incident – that the government designated Palestine Action a proscribed terrorist organisation.
She therefore instructed them not to hold the defendants’ membership of the group against them.
“The view of others about the organisation has no relevance to this case,” added the judge.
The trial continues.
