Sledge-hammer wielding protesters broke into factory and ‘smashed up’ building, trial hears

Protesters broke into an Oldham factory and smashed windows, equipment and a fire door using sledge hammers, prosecutors have alleged.

Istasham Ali, 33, Shaheed Aziz, 40 and Michael Rabb, 77, are charged with causing criminal damage to windows and property at Cairo House, the building home to Ferranti Technologies, on Greenacres Road. Mr Ali and Mr Aziz are further charged with an offence of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage.

All the charges relate to an incident at Cairo House on June 21 2021, when prosecutors say the defendants broke into the building before trashing items such as windows and heating units. Ferranti Technologies, which was owned by Israeli firm Elbit Systems, globally manufactured electrical items for use by the defence industry, jurors were told.

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The three men deny the offences and are on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Ryan Donoghue, prosecuting, said: “The right to peaceful protest is considered an important right for every person in England and Wales and something they are entitled to enjoy.

“This is a case that the Crown say went far beyond a peaceful protest - between them they entered and caused significant damage to commercial property in June 2021.”

It was said that at around 6.45pm police officers were called to attend at Cairo House, on Greenacres Road, Oldham. At the time the company was regularly being targeted by pro-Palestine groups such as Palestine Action, jurors heard.

When police officers arrived they could see red and green smoke coming from the roof. After gaining entry to the building they could hear ‘smashing sounds’ coming from inside, it was said.