Pro-Palestinian protesters jailed for £1m damage at Thales weapons factory in Glasgow

A group of Pro-Palestinian protesters who caused over £1m of damages at a weapons factory have been jailed for a total of five years and two months.

Stuart Bretherton, 25, Eva Simmons, 25, Calum Lacy, 23, Erica Hygate, 23 and Sumaya Javaid, 22, scaled the Thales UK building in Govan on June 1, 2022.

The five protesters remained on the roof, unfurled banners and erected flags as well as ignited pyrotechnics.

The building had its fire alarm activated after Hygate and Javaid entered which prompted an evacuation.

A smoke bomb was thrown into the area staff were being evacuated to which caused panic.

Two of the protesters remained at the building overnight and glued themselves to the roof after refusing to engage with police.

A total of £1,130,783 of damage was caused and the premises were shut due to safety concerns.

Bretherton, of Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, Simmons, of London, Lacy of Edinburgh as well as Hygate and Javaid of Birmingham, pled guilty to conducting themselves in a disorderly manner.

Hygate further admitted at Glasgow Sheriff Court to malicious mischief while Javaid separately pled to malicious mischief and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

All bar Javaid received 12-month sentences while she was jailed for 14 months.

Sheriff John McCormick said: “At 6.25am, police saw you in the perimeter dressed in orange or red overalls, some had rucksacks and balaclavas.

“Police saw you quickly scale the fence using ladders which you discarded.

“You were confined to the roof of the main building, you attempted to climb on a derelict water tower and beckoned others.

“You unfurled banners and unveiled flags. Palestinian protesters gathered adjacent to the site and showed support for you.

“Multiple police resources arrived and were positioned around the building.

“Ms Hygate and Ms Javaid entered the building through the roof and caused damage including to parts essential to submarines.

“Fire alarms were activated which caused an evacuation and confusion as well as panic among staff.

“You set off pyrotechnics and smoke bombs – some thrown in the area where staff where evacuated.

“The smoke was dangerously close to the members of staff.

“Mr Bretheron, Ms Simmons and Mr Lacy were seen to move back and forth on the rooftop. They were seen to gather their belongings and stated their intention was to climb down a ladder.

“Ms Hygate and Ms Javaid of you refused to desist and remained overnight after refusing to engage with a police liaison.

“You glued your hands to the edge of the roof and remained there until officers were able to take your hands away.

“Ms Javaid was obstructive and required leg restraints.

“The court has to have regard to the major impact this had – the impact on employees as well as police and emergency services resources.

“A total of 20 constables, one inspector and two sergeants were there over two days or four shifts.

“The premises were shut due to safety concerns and disrupting business activities which included matters of nationwide security.

“The damage caused cost £1,130,783 which does not include the cost to the public purse, police or emergency service personnel.”

The sheriff stated that in one background report, one of the protesters claimed that their actions were non-violent.

He responded: “Throwing pyrotechnics at areas where people are being evacuated to cannot be described as non-violent.”

The sheriff told all five that they were “young and intelligent” and that everyone had the right to lawful protest.

However, Sheriff McCormick added: “You expressed a high level of regret to your actions and I give weight to that.

“Due to the gravity and the consequences, there is no suitable alternative to custody.”