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Judge Rules Palestine Action ‘Barclays Five’ Will Not Receive Terrorism Sentences

By rejecting a ‘terrorist connection’ the judge narrowed the reach of section 69 for this protest case and left sentencing under ordinary criminal-damage law on the calendar.

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A protester holds a 'Heroes not terrorists' placard as police officers get ready to make arrests during a demonstration outside Westminster Magistrates Court organized by Defend Our Juries against the ban on the activist group Palestine Action.
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Overview

  • Judge Robert Altham ruled on Friday that section 69 of the Sentencing Act does not apply to the five defendants and set a criminal-damage sentencing hearing for September 4.
  • The five were convicted in June of causing about £212,000 in damage to a Barclays branch during a direct action on August 5, 2024, when they smashed windows, threw red paint and filmed the attack.
  • Section 69 raises prison terms, removes automatic early release and imposes long-term police notification and monitoring, which is why a terrorism finding would have sharply increased penalties.
  • The ruling does not change the government’s July 2025 proscription of Palestine Action or the Woolwich precedent where activists who caused larger damage at an Elbit site received terrorism sentences, leaving broader legal questions unresolved.
  • Hundreds of supporters protested outside Preston Crown Court while rights groups warned the post-trial consideration of terrorism links and the large number of related arrests risk chilling lawful protest and raising fairness concerns.