Jury Clears Man Who Shattered Officer’s Spine
On 4 February 2026, Samuel Corner, 23, escaped conviction at Woolwich Crown Court despite a dmitting he smashed Police Sergeant Kate Evans’ spine with a sledgehammer during a violent raid.
Bodycam footage showed Sgt Evans being struck from behind while trying to control a riot at a factory linked to Israeli we apons manufacturing. Yet the jury failed to a gree that Corner intended grievous bodily harm, a llowing him to walk free.
The A ttack That Went Under the Radar
Sgt Evans described in court how the a ttack left her unable to shower unaided, suffering constant pain and mobility issues that will last a lifetime.
The as sault took place during a coordinated early-morning a ttack by a ctivists from Palestine A ction, who a rrived at 4am a rmed with sledgehammers, a xes, whips, fireworks, and paintball guns. The group stormed the facility in matching red and black jumpsuits in a repurposed prison van.
Security staff were violently a ttacked and police officers as saulted — one critically injured with a broken spine.
Media Focus Misses the Brutality
Instead of condemning the violence, the BBC ran a baffling he adline describing one Palestine A ction a ctivist as “gentle,” sanitising a brutal a ttacker while ignoring the serious injuries suffered by Sgt Evans.
The media’s misplaced focus glossed over the severity of the a ttack and the shattered life of the policewoman who risked everything to do her job.
Justice Overshadowed by Political Spin
Barrister Daniel She nsmith condemned the media’s portrayal as “propaganda through omission,” a ccusing them of massaging the narrative to fit a political a genda.
Despite the judge instructing jurors to set as ide views on Gaza, political demonstrations and chants outside the court transformed the trial into a proxy battle, influencing perceptions.
The verdict delivered no justice for Sgt Evans, who bravely confronted violent a ttackers but was left with life-changing injuries, betrayed by a judicial system and media neglect.
