Man Who Shattered Officer’s Spine Walks Free After Shocking Jury Verdict
Samuel Corner, 23, escaped conviction at Woolwich Crown Court on 4 February 2026, despite admitting he smashed Police Sergeant Kate Evans’ spine with a sledgehammer during a violent raid. The jury failed to agree that Corner intended grievous bodily harm, letting him off the hook.
Brutal Sledgehammer Attack Caught on Bodycam
Bodycam footage revealed Sgt Evans being struck from behind while trying to control a riot at a factory tied to Israeli weapons manufacturing. The attack left her with devastating, lifelong injuries. Sgt Evans told the court she can no longer shower unaided and suffers constant pain and mobility problems. The assault happened in a pre-dawn raid by activists from Palestine Action, who stormed the site at 4am armed to the teeth with sledgehammers, axes, whips, fireworks, and paintball guns. The group arrived dressed in matching red and black jumpsuits in a converted prison van, violently attacking both security staff and police officers.
Media Downplays Violence, Sparks Fury
Instead of highlighting the vicious attack, the BBC bizarrely described one Palestine Action activist as “gentle.” This weird spin whitewashed the brutal assault, overlooking Sgt Evans’ shattered spine and ruined life. The media frenzy focused elsewhere, ignoring the true horror of the incident and the sacrifice of the officer on the front line.
Political Agendas Overshadow Justice
Barrister Daniel Shenmsith slammed the media’s coverage as “propaganda through omission,” accusing them of twisting the story to fit a political narrative. Despite the judge’s warning to jurors to ignore political views on Gaza, protests and chanting outside the court turned the trial into a political battlefield — influencing opinions and watering down justice. In the end, Sgt Evans was betrayed by a justice system and media that failed to protect her, leaving her to live with life-changing injuries after bravely facing brutal attackers.
