Man appears in court charged with vandalising two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in ‘£7m Palestine Action attack'

The Irish Sun

3 days ago

Taxpayers likely to pick up bill for damage, court told
IN THE DOCK Man appears in court charged with vandalising two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in '£7m Palestine Action attack'
A MAN has appeared in court charged with vandalising two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in an alleged £7million attack by Palestine Action.
Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, was held after the base in Oxfordshire was targeted on June 20.
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Muhammad Umer Khalid has been charged over the alleged attack on RAF Brize Norton
Credit: ITV News
Two Voyager planes suffered £7million worth of damage in the protest, which was claimed by group Palestine Action.
The Government later moved to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws.
Khalid appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
He is also accused of conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.
The court was told the two jet engines had to be replaced following the demonstration at a cost of £2.5million each which is likely to be paid by the taxpayer.
Fire extinguishers marked with the words Palestine Action and Palestinian flags were recovered at the scene, it was said.
Prosecutor Peter Ratliff said the protesters used e-scooters to travel to the RAF base.
They then allegedly sprayed a "significant quantity of red paint into the engine of each aircraft", he added.
The court heard Khalid, who is a British citizen born in Manchester, was held at an address in Bedfordshire on Friday.
Khalid waved and saluted towards friends and family in the public gallery as he was led away from dock, with some blowing kisses back in response.
The group could then be heard chanting and waving Palestine flags outside the court after the hearing ended.
Khalid was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance at the Old Bailey on August 22.
He is the fifth person to be charged in connection with the incident.
Last month, Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 35, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, appeared in court.
They were remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on January 16, 2026.
The Ministry of Defence had said at the time of the incident: "The UK's defence estate is vital to our national security and this government will not tolerate those who put that security at risk.
"This Government is taking the strong step of proscribing Palestine Action due to its activities, which are a threat to our national security."
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Two Voyager aircraft were damaged
Credit: Unpixs