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Security guard says he was told fluid sprayed at him was acid during Palestine Action factory raid, Old Bailey hears

Palestine Action activists, whose raid on the Instro Precision factory in Sandwich, Kent, saw security guard Billy Dennis surrounded, struck in the face and sprayed with a fluid described as acid.
Palestine Action activists, whose raid on the Instro Precision factory in Sandwich, Kent, saw security guard Billy Dennis surrounded, struck in the face and sprayed with a fluid described as acid.

Billy Dennis, a security guard at Instro Precision in Sandwich, Kent, told the Old Bailey he was surrounded, struck in the face and sprayed with a fluid "I was told was acid" during a 3am break-in by Palestine Action supporters on 17 June 2024. He said masked intruders smashed the windows of his Land Rover and subjected him to verbal threats and abuse. Nine defendants face charges of criminal damage, burglary with intent and violent disorder, all of which they deny.

The raiders — up to 20 strong, in two colour-coded teams — arrived carrying hammers, hatchets, fireworks and fire extinguishers, Dennis told jurors.

Instro Precision was targeted for its links to Elbit Systems, an Israeli-linked defence company, the court heard.

Under cross-examination Dennis conceded he could not be certain he was sprayed, saying: 'It's my account that I was sprayed, whether the evidence is there or not, I don't know.'

MoreBBC News - EnglandPalestine Action activists attacked guard in factory break in, court hearsEvening StandardSecurity guard ‘sprayed with fire extinguisher by Palestine Action intruders’The Jewish ChroniclePalestine Action intruders sprayed me with fluid that I was told was acid, security guard tells courtBBCIntruders sprayed guard with extinguisher, court hears
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