Overview
- The Old Bailey jury, which was discharged in mid‑August, deadlocked after roughly 37 hours of deliberation and delivered a single majority 9‑1 conviction for criminal damage.
- Seven defendants now have no verdicts and may face a retrial that the Crown has said it will consider with the case listed for a mention hearing on 14 September.
- All eight defendants were accused of coordinating the August 6, 2024 Filton break‑in through reconnaissance and equipment purchases while not entering the factory themselves under the joint‑enterprise doctrine.
- Prosecutors relied on alleged Signal group links, reconnaissance and supply activity to connect the defendants to the raid while defence teams argued roles were limited, forensic links were weak, and some acted only domestically such as cooking or buying food.
- Jurors heard that seven defendants were arrested by counter‑terrorism police and held on remand for up to 18 months, a point defence lawyers used to criticise detention practices and which may shape any retrial strategy.