A CROWN Court jury has refused to convict four Palestine Action activists accused of causing more than £500,000 of damage at a factory supplying weaponry to Israel.

The four faced charges of criminal damage to a Teledyne Defence and Space factory at Shipley in West Yorkshire.

The activists were reported to have used sledgehammers to smash the roof, windows and the interior of the factory.

In closing speeches, the activists reminded jurors of their rights to acquit according to their conscience.

The trial lasted two weeks.

After three days of deliberations, on Friday the jury refused to convict the accused. 

In their evidence, the activists spoke of the necessity of taking action against Israel’s crimes in Gaza, where more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed.

One activist, Ruby Hamill, 20, stated: “This country has had a hand in these crimes from the beginning and it is therefore our duty to stop them.”

A retrial is expected.