Shocking bodycam footage reveals the moment a Palestine Action activist allegedly broke a police officer’s back with a sledgehammer during a “meticulously organized” break-in at an Israeli defense company, exposing the dangerous escalation of radical leftist protest tactics targeting law enforcement.
Story Snapshot
- Samuel Corner allegedly struck a female police officer twice with a sledgehammer, breaking her back during a Palestine Action raid
- Six activists in red boiler suits broke into Elbit Systems UK factory in Bristol using a prison van in August 2024
- Bodycam and CCTV footage shown in court reveals the brutal assault on law enforcement responding to the break-in
- The injured officer reportedly cannot dress herself and suffers ongoing physical limitations from the attack
Radical Activists Target Israeli Defense Contractor
Palestine Action orchestrated a calculated assault on the Elbit Systems UK facility in Bristol during the early hours of August 6, 2024. Six activists arrived at the Israeli defense company’s site in a prison van, dressed in matching red boiler suits and wielding sledgehammers. The group targeted the facility, which they claim manufactures drone technology used by the Israeli military, as part of their ongoing campaign against UK companies linked to Israeli defense operations.
The activists broke into the secured premises with apparent premeditation, demonstrating a level of organization that prosecutors described as “meticulously planned.” This coordinated attack represents a dangerous escalation from typical property damage protests to direct violence against law enforcement officers responding to criminal activity.
Police Officer Suffers Devastating Injuries
When Avon and Somerset Police responded to the break-in, they encountered the armed activists who had already begun their destructive operation. Bodycam footage presented in court allegedly shows Samuel Corner wielding a sledgehammer and striking a female police officer twice across her back. The brutal assault caused severe spinal injuries, with prosecutors confirming the officer’s back was broken in the attack.
The injured officer now faces permanent physical limitations from the assault, reportedly unable to perform basic daily tasks like dressing herself. This devastating outcome demonstrates how radical activist tactics have crossed the line from property damage into life-altering violence against innocent law enforcement personnel simply doing their duty to protect public safety and private property.
Court Evidence Exposes Calculated Violence
The November 2025 trial has revealed disturbing video evidence showing the premeditated nature of the attack. Both bodycam footage from responding officers and CCTV surveillance from the Elbit Systems facility capture the violent confrontation that left a police officer with permanent injuries. The prosecution has emphasized the organized nature of the operation, noting the activists’ coordinated arrival, matching uniforms, and prepared weapons.
This case represents a concerning trend where supposedly peaceful protest movements embrace increasingly violent tactics. The use of sledgehammers against law enforcement officers protecting private property demonstrates how radical leftist groups prioritize their political agenda over basic respect for human life and the rule of law that protects our communities.
