Oxford News
Oxford Palestine activist ‘hit sergeant with sledgehammer’
Samuel Corner told his trial he brought the tool down on Sergeant Kate Evans after he heard “someone screaming” and feared they were being injured by security guards during a raid at Israel-based defence firm Elbit Systems’ site near Bristol on August 6, 2024.
On Thursday, Woolwich Crown Court heard Corner had hit the officer after being sprayed with Pava spray, without shouting a warning and the officer had not been able to see him coming.
READ MORE: Prince William gets behind wheel of Formula E racing car
When asked if he thought striking Sgt Evans was over the top, the 23-year-old admitted it would have been had he considered the consequences.
Of the officer, prosecutor Deanna Heer KC asked the defendant: “She posed no threat to you at all, did she?”
“Well no, not to me,” Corner said.
The prosecutor continued: “Did you hit her because you thought she was a security guard and she was complicit with Elbit?”
“No,” he replied.
“Did you think, Mr Corner, that she was fair game?” she asked.
“No,” the defendant responded.
The prosecutor asked: “Do you agree that, whatever you may have thought, it was completely unreasonable to hit Sgt Evans with a sledgehammer?”
“I mean it seemed reasonable to do something and I had to act quickly,” Corner responded.
“Do you think it was completely unreasonable, over the top, to hit Sgt Evans on the back with a sledgehammer?” Ms Heer asked.
“Yes, if I’d thought about what that was going to do, then yes,” the defendant said.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire pub crowned UK Greene King Pub of the Year 2026
Tom Wainwright, defending, asked: “The prosecution’s case is that your actions were unreasonable, what do you say to that?”
“I disagree,” Corner replied.
Jurors have heard Corner believed one of his female friends was being “seriously hurt” and he had acted to “protect” her.
The defendant said he now accepted Sgt Evans was not injuring anyone before he struck her.
Corner previously told the court he “would never want to seriously hurt anyone”, and denied it was part of a plan to use violence against people during the raid.
At an earlier hearing, Sgt Evans told jurors she believed her spine could have been “shattered” and feared she may have been “paralysed” after being hit by the activist.
Alongside Corner, Charlotte Head, 30, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, are on trial accused of criminal damage over the incident.
Corner, a former linguistics and philosophy student at Oxford University, denies further charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sgt Evans.
The trial has heard the defendants crashed into shutters outside the factory in a prison van, which was driven by Head and used “as a battering ram”.
READ MORE: Doctor upset by ‘ban’ at Oxfordshire recycling centre
Once inside, they used sledgehammers and crowbars to destroy computers, drones and other equipment, and sprayed the walls and floor with red paint using fire extinguishers, the court heard.
On Thursday, the public gallery was almost full with supporters of the defendants, some of whom wore keffiyeh scarves.
The defendants deny all charges and the trial continues.
Multiple vehicles, including two cars and a van, were spotted around Bonn Square between 6pm and 7pm yesterday, Thursday, June 18.
A man appeared to be handcuffed by several officers as shoppers passing-by watched on.
Thames Valley Police has been contacted for comment.
READ MORE: Laurence Fox makes speeding claim amid Oxford Union ‘escape’
Meanwhile the force has reported that it seized an “illegal electric bike” nearby on Cornmarket Street yesterday.
A spokesperson said: “We are working alongside other departments, and conducting operations to reduce the amount of illegal electric bikes and scooters on our streets.
“Especially those being used in an anti-social manner.
“Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to be ridden on public land and will be seized, along with illegally modified e-bikes.”
Amazon has launched a new World Cup dine-in deal that could save football fans up to £7.40 on their match-day food and drinks.
The online retail giant might be best known for bigger purchases but it also does groceries too, and it is offering shoppers the chance to pick up two Franco Manca pizzas and a four-pack of drinks for £11 through Amazon Fresh throughout June.
The limited-time promotion runs here until June 30 and is available with same-day and next-day delivery, making it a handy option for last-minute World Cup watch parties.
What’s Included In Amazon’s £11 World Cup Deal?
Customers can mix and match from a selection of popular Franco Manca pizzas, including:
- Salami, ‘Nduja & Hot Honey Pizza
- Greek Inspired Chicken Gyros Pizza
- Quattro Formaggi & Balsamic Glaze Pizza
- Meatball Ragu Pizza
The bundle also includes a choice of selected four-packs of drinks.
Options include:
- Coca-Cola Original Taste
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
- Birra Moretti
- Birra Moretti Zero Alcohol-Free
According to Amazon, customers can save up to £7.40 compared with buying the items separately.
The deal is available through Amazon Fresh and can be delivered directly to customers’ doors, helping fans stock up before kick-off without leaving home.
Where is Amazon Fresh available?
Amazon Fresh is available across a growing number of towns and cities throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and other major locations.
Shoppers can check whether the service is available in their area by entering their postcode through the Amazon Fresh storefront. The service offers everything from fresh groceries and chilled food to cupboard essentials and household products.
Customers can then choose from same-day or next-day delivery slots seven days a week, subject to availability.
Some shoppers can get their order in just 30 minutes
For customers in selected London postcodes, Amazon now offers ultra-fast grocery delivery through Amazon Now, with orders arriving in as little as 30 minutes.
The retailer has also confirmed plans to expand the rapid delivery service to Birmingham and Manchester later this year, giving even more football fans access to last-minute match-night essentials.
Recommended reading:
World Cup watch parties
With millions expected to tune into this summer’s biggest football matches, retailers are racing to tempt shoppers with food and drink deals.
Amazon says the promotion is designed to help customers get match-ready, whether they’re hosting a watch party, planning a family night in or simply looking for an easy dinner before the game.
Alongside the pizza bundle, shoppers can also browse Amazon Fresh’s range of snacks, party food and international dishes inspired by teams competing in the tournament.
The £11 World Cup dine-in deal is available now until June 30, while stocks last.
Will you try out this deal? Let us know in the comments.
It comes as the US and Iran sign a deal to end the war and lay the foundations for the crucial Strait of Hormuz crude oil shipping lane to be reopened after months of blockages.
According to analysis by the RAC, the average price of petrol has fallen by nearly 5p since its conflict high of 159.53p on May 28, to 154.72p on Thursday.
Tesco in Cowley remains the lowest price for petrol in the city at 151.9p, according to the online tracker Petrol Prices, with the BP garage in Marston at 155.9p.
READ MORE: Major update given after Jeremy Clarkson’s cancer diagnosis
Head of policy Simon Williams said: “The diesel drop has been even more dramatic having come down by 17p a litre from 191.54p on 15 April to 174.3p which means drivers are saving £9.50 every time they fill up. The last time the UK average price of diesel was under 175p was on 24 March.
“Even more positively, the rate of reduction ought to accelerate as the price of a barrel of oil has been under $80 for the last two days – something we haven’t seen since the start of March. Drivers can now expect to see the average pump price of petrol drop below 150p in the next week or so, while diesel should drop back under 170p.”
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoRyan Bridge speaks of London arrest after Oxford incident
-
UK News4 weeks agoRussian threats against Baltics ‘unacceptable’ and danger to ‘our entire union’, EU’s von der Leyen says – Europe live | Europe
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoOxfordshire families invited to free day of fun in Bicester
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoNew video call system to help domestic abuse victims
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoPhotos as 1979 Pontiac Firebird ‘bursts in flames’ at Tesco
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoNew ‘high-quality’ mushroom business launched in Oxford
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoOxfordshire Lib Dems lose another councillor amid ‘serious concerns’
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoNHS IT outages disrupt 274,620 patient interactions