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Oxford Palestine activist ‘hit sergeant with sledgehammer’

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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.

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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.

Supporters outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, where Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Katema Rajwani and Zoe Rogers are facing a retrial, on criminal damage and violence charges over a break-in at the UK base of an Israel-based defence firm, Elbit Systems site near Bristol on August 6 2024. Picture date: Thursday April 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA WireSupporters outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, where Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Katema Rajwani and Zoe Rogers are facing a retrial (Image: Yui Mok)

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.

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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.

Leona Kamio outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, where she is facing a retrial, along with fellow activists Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Katema Rajwani and Zoe Rogers, on criminal damage and violence charges over a break-in at the UK base of an Israel-based defence firm, Elbit Systems site near Bristol on August 6 2024. Picture date: Thursday April 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA WireLeona Kamio outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, where she is facing a retrial, along with fellow activists (Image: Yui Mok)

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”.

RETRANSMITTING CORRECTING SPELLING OF FATEMA RAJWANI Zoe Rogers arriving at Woolwich Crown Court, London, where she is facing a retrial along with fellow activists Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio and Fatema Rajwani, on criminal damage and violence charges over a break-in at the UK base of an Israel-based defence firm, Elbit Systems site near Bristol on August 6 2024. Picture date: Thursday April 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA WireZoe Rogers arriving at Woolwich Crown Court, London, where she is facing a retrial along with fellow activists (Image: Yui Mok)

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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.





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Jeremy Clarkson among famous men backing cancer treatment

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English actor and broadcaster Peter Duncan, 72, who has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse, is urging health authorities to approve focal therapy more broadly across the UK.

Mr Duncan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, called the treatment “life-changing” after it successfully targeted the cancerous part of his prostate with minimal side effects.

Jeremy Clarkson is some of a few famous faces who have received focal therapy for prostate cancer (Image: PA)

Other public figures who have received focal therapy include Jeremy Clarkson and former prime minister Lord David Cameron.

Mr Duncan said: “I was originally offered a radical prostatectomy which would have removed the whole prostate, but I was lucky enough to be treated with focal therapy which was better for me and a less invasive option.

“It was a complete success, and I’ve only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before.”

The treatment is backed by Prostate Cancer UK, which is urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to review and approve the treatment for wider use on the NHS.

Peter Duncan received prostate cancer therapy accessed by Jeremy Clarkson (Image: Alistair Wilson)

Amy Rylance, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Without a timeline from Nice, we simply don’t know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS.”

A recent report from Imperial College London found focal therapy is as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but carries a much lower risk of incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.





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Criminal broke into Oxford home and slept in owner’s bed, court hears

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Richie Reeves broke into the home in Westminster Way on January 12 this year.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old, of Bristow Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, spent the night there and then stole some pants and socks before leaving.

As well as this, Reeves was sentenced, on August 6, for stealing bank cards in various locations and then using them to buy things for himself.

Reeves stole a bank card, wallet and cash belonging to John Keen in Oxford on January 17.

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Richie Reeves (Image: TVP)

He also stole bank cards belonging to Gordon Boland and Aya Zemzam in Milton Keynes in April.

Using the bank cards, the total he spent was £586.87.

Judge Maria Lamb said: “You broke into a young man’s home. You slept in his bed and helped yourself to his belongings.

“The feeling of intrusion to that young man must have been very significant. You were a rough sleeper and entrenched in substance misuse.

“You are now beginning to realise the impact of your offending on other people. It has had an enduring impact. You are now seeking to turn things around.”

Reeves was jailed for a total of 16 months.

The judge added: “I hope you build on the work you are doing already.”





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Second weapon unveiled by police to combat e-scooters and e-bikes

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It was reported earlier this week that Southampton’s officers had started using DeterTech’s SmartTag spray.

This can be fired from a handheld canister over distances of up to 10 metres, coating riders, clothing and bikes with an invisible marker.

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The spray is only detectable under ultraviolet light and carries a unique forensic code linked to the specific canister used, allowing investigators to match a suspect to a particular incident weeks or even months later.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary says the technology gives officers a safer tactical option when dealing with motorcycles, e‑bikes and e‑scooters being used in crime or anti‑social behaviour, reducing the need for risky pursuits or close confrontation.

The move comes amid growing complaints about riders using powered two‑wheelers on pavements and in public spaces, and follows similar trials by Dorset Police and other forces to tag offenders rather than chasing them through busy streets.

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Thames Valley Police has told this newspaper this week that a second spray is being used in Oxfordshire and across the region.

The DNA tagging spray from SelectaDNA acts in a similar way and is also being used to combat e-bikes and e-scooters.

TVP, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has already seized more than 100 illegal machines in recent operations and warned that privately owned e‑scooters used on public roads risk fines, penalty points and confiscation.





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