Seven appear in court after ram-raid at defence firm

Avon and Somerset Police said a group of people forced their way into the building, using a vehicle to smash through the doors

Seven people have appeared in court over a ram-raid on a defence technology firm - with two others held on suspicion of terrorism offences.

A group allegedly used a vehicle to smash through the doors of Elbit Systems UK, near Bristol, in the early hours of 6 August.

The investigation into the incident is now being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East.

All seven people charged appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court earlier.

Police said two officers who attended the incident, on Bolingbroke Way in Patchway, were “seriously assaulted in the course of their duties”.

Extensive damage was caused to the building and employees were allegedly seriously assaulted.

Samuel Corner, 22, of of Rock Hill, Georgeham, Devon, has been charged with criminal damage, violent disorder, grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of actual bodily harm, and aggravated burglary using a sledgehammer as an offensive weapon.

Jordan Devlin, 30, of Stoke Newington High Street, London, Leona Kamio, 28, of Clifden Road, Hackney, London and Fatema Rajwani, 20, of Commonside, East Mitcham, Merton, have all been charged with criminal damage, violent disorder and aggravated burglary using a sledgehammer.

Charlotte Head, 28, of White Ash Glade, Caerleon, Newport, and and Zoe Rogers, 20, of Selborne Road, Southgate, Enfield, have also been charged with the same offences.

Hannah Davidson, 51, of Calder Gardens, Edinburgh, has been charged with criminal damage and aggravated burglary also using a sledgehammer.

Ms Head, Ms Rajwani and Ms Rogers appeared in court first and denied criminal damage and violent disorder.

They entered no pleas for aggravated burglary as it is an indictable-only offence and must be dealt with by a crown court.

Mr Corner, Mr Devlin, Ms Kamio and Ms Davidson entered no pleas and were also remanded into custody.

All seven will next appear at the Old Bailey on 13 September.

'Complex investigation'

After a review of the incident, officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) took on the investigation.

A 45-year-old man, from Warwickshire, who was arrested on Saturday, remains in custody on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism after a warrant of further detention was granted by magistrates.

Detectives have until Friday to question him further.

A 33-year-old man, from Manchester, who was arrested on Friday, also remains in custody on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism after a warrant of further detention was granted by magistrates.

Detectives have until Saturday to question him further.

A woman from south Wales, who was previously arrested in relation to the investigation, was subsequently released with no further action.

Det Chief Supt Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, said: “This is a complex investigation and, while we have now secured charges against a number of people, the investigation very much continues.”

Supt Dan Forster, north east area commander for Avon and Somerset Police, said the force was not aware of any "wider risk" to the local community in South Gloucestershire.