Green Party leader Zack Polanski has suggested a pro-Palestine activist who broke a police officer’s spine with a sledgehammer should not go to prison.
Mr Polanski described the custodial sentence handed to Samuel Corner, 23, as “gut-wrenching” after the ex-Oxford student was banged up for seven years and eight months after appearing at Woolwich Crown Court earlier today.
Corner, who was sentenced alongside three other Palestine Action activists, was convicted of criminal damage and inflicting grievous bodily harm on a police sergeant after hitting her with a seven-pound sledgehammer.
The Green Party leader said: “Gut-wrenching to see four young people jailed for direct action against an arms supplier to Israel.
“Years in prison for protesting to save lives in Gaza, with ‘terrorism’ used despite no jury convicting them of it.
“A truly dangerous attack on the right to protest.”
Charlotte Head, 30, Leona Kamio, 30, and Fatema Rajwani, 21, were all convicted of criminal damage after breaking into an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol in August 2024.
The criminal damage is estimated to have cost a staggering £1.2million.
Head and Kamio were sentenced to five years in prison, with Rajwani placed behind bars for four years and eight months.
Zack Polanski suggests pro-Palestine activist who ‘broke police officer’s spine’ with sledgehammer shouldn’t go to prison
| PA
However, Corner’s actions against a female police officer have left a lasting impact on those who responded to the harrowing events in August 2024.
Sgt Kate Evans was on her knees trying to arrest Rogers when she was struck by Corner, suffering a fractured spine as a result of the blow.
She held back tears as she read an impact statement to the court, revealing she was still receiving medical treatment and had been forced to give up her rank.
Sgt Evans added: “The emotional impact of this incident has been profound and ongoing.
“I experience disturbed sleep, often waking in a panicked state or after distressing dreams.”
Police sergeant Kate Evans was unable to work for three months following the incident | PA
In a statement released after sentencing, Avon & Somerset Police’s Chief Constable Sarah Crew added: “What happened that night changed the life of one of our officers.
“For Sergeant Evans, this has been deeply personal, painful and lasting.
“It is important everyone realises that behind every uniform is an ordinary person.
“Someone with a family, with responsibilities, and a life beyond the job.”
Mr Polanski faced fury in February after a jury initially acquitted the group of Palestine Action activists of any wrongdoing.
Tiffany Lynch, the general secretary of the Police Federation of England and Wales, signed a letter alongside Avon & Somerset branch chair Tom Gent.
The policing duo criticised the Green leader for failing to “express concern for that officer’s welfare”, adding: “That omission matters.”
Activists gathered outside Woolwich Crown Court | PA
Mr Polanski received further criticism last month after sharing a social media post questioning the actions of two officers who apprehended a suspected knifeman in Golders Green.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley penned an open letter to the Green Party leader.
He wrote: “I was disappointed to have seen your recent post on X amplifying a post that Met officers were ‘repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by taser’.
“I am disappointed because it is this kind of inaccurate and misinformed commentary — with its associated casual disregard for the incredibly challenging and dangerous work police officers do to protect the public – that is contributing to the rising tensions we are seeing in society and undermines officer confidence to act.”
Green Party leader Zack Polanski appeared to disregard the condition of the police officer
| GETTY
Meanwhile, Labour MP Jonathan Hinder warned Mr Polanski risks encouraging those who undermine and attack the police.
The former police inspector told GB News: “Police officers across the country will be dismayed that the Green Party are more concerned about the welfare of violent criminals than they are about the brave police officers who protect the public.
“It is extremely worrying the leader of a national party is encouraging this anti-police sentiment, which only encourages those who would undermine and attack our police.”
He added: “Only clueless luvvies like Polanski and others can afford absurd policies like ‘defunding the police’.”
GB News has approached Mr Polanski for comment.
