Palestine Action

[Hughie Reed 31]

from a KC on X

The acquittals were not based on sympathy for Gaza.
If they had been, the jury would likely have acquitted on all charges, which did not happen.


Aggravated burglary:
The prosecution needed to prove the sledgehammer was taken with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm.
The defence argued self-defence, claiming the defendants were surprised by the security guards’ reaction.


The jury did not accept self-defence, but the acquittals suggest they were not sure there was intent to use the sledgehammer against a person.
That is a reasonable jury conclusion given the burden of proof.


Violent disorder:
Lesser participants were acquitted, suggesting the jury was not sure the purpose was to engage in a large-scale fight.
No verdict was reached for the two alleged ringleaders, indicating jury disagreement over their involvement.


A re-trial hearing is scheduled for 18 February.
The author would be dismayed if the CPS did not seek a retrial, but has little confidence in the outcome.


Overall conclusion:
This was not a verdict endorsing criminal damage “for Gaza”.
While individual jurors may have held such views, the verdicts themselves do not support that interpretation, and claims to the contrary repeat misleading, ideological narratives rather than the facts.

Utter bollocks
If I took a sledgehammer up the Albion on Saturday
I would be nicked and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon
With intent of causing grievous bodily harm
And you know it.