A GROUP of Pro-Palestine protesters have been jailed for a total of five years and two months for causing more than £1 million of damages at a weapons factory
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 the building which prompted an evacuation.
Two of the protesters remained at the building overnight and glued themselves to the roof.
A total of £1,130,783 of damage was caused and the premises were shut due to safety concerns.
Bretherton, of Kilmacolm, Simmons, of London, Lacy of Edinburgh as well as Hygate and Javaid of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conducting themselves in a disorderly manner.
Hygate further admitted at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpable and reckless conduct while Javaid separately pleaded to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
All bar Javaid received 12-month sentences, while she was jailed for 14 months.
Following the hearing, it was confirmed the group were five activists from Palestine Action Scotland.
A spokesperson for the group said: "Imprisoning activists for taking action against Scotland's arms trade with Israel only serves to protect companies enabling genocide.
"Such sentences will urge more people to acknowledge Scottish complicity with the ongoing Gaza genocide and motivate them to take action against it. It is those who arm the massacres of the Palestinian people who are guilty, not those who take action to stop them."
A total of six police officers and five security staff were in the courtroom.
Some of the protesters and members of the public gallery were emotional after the sheriff gave his verdict.
This was followed by shouts of "you are preventing genocide" and a repeated chant of "free, free Palestine" as all five were led into custody.
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 protestors gathered adjacent to the site and showed support for you.
"Multiple police resources arrived and were positioned around the building.
"Miss Hygate and Miss 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 were evacuated.
"The smoke was dangerously close to the members of staff.
"Mr Bretheron, Miss 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.
"Miss Hygate and Miss 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.
"Miss 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."
