# What is a 'terrorist connection'? How it can add years to a sentence without a terrorism conviction

> A judge can find a 'terrorist connection' at sentencing, without the jury deciding it. In Filton it lengthened sentences for criminal damage, and the prosecution has alleged one in Brize Norton.

- URL: https://www.brizenortonfiles.com/articles/terrorist-connection-sentencing-explained
- Published: 2026-11-08
- Author: Investigations Desk, The Brize Norton Files
- Topics: The law, Explainers

## Key points

- On 12 June 2026, a judge ruled that the Filton offences had a 'terrorist connection', the first time reported as applied to criminal damage in the UK.
- Four Filton defendants received sentences from 5 years 8 months to 8 years 8 months, and must serve at least two-thirds before parole.
- The jury was not told a terrorist connection was possible until after its verdict, according to Novara Media.
- The prosecution has alleged a terrorist connection in the Brize Norton case. It is an allegation, not a finding.

On 12 June 2026, Mr Justice Johnson ruled that the Filton offences had a 'terrorist connection'. Reporting describes it as the first time this has been applied to criminal damage in the UK.

The judge made the finding at sentencing. The four defendants were convicted of criminal damage and, in one case, grievous bodily harm (GBH) without intent, not of terrorism offences. The reporting reviewed does not set out the legal test the judge applied.

## What did the Filton case involve?

On 6 August 2024, activists drove a converted prison van through the fence of a site run by Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms company, at Filton near Bristol. They admitted destroying Israeli military drones and equipment. The Bristol Cable estimated the damage at £1.2 million.

At the retrial in April and May 2026, Charlotte Head, Leona Kamio, Fatema Zainab Rajwani and Samuel Corner were convicted of criminal damage. Corner was also convicted, by majority, of GBH without intent.

## How was the terrorist connection applied?

The four sentences were:

| Defendant | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Head | 6 years, less 45 days |
| Leona Kamio | 6 years, less 45 days |
| Fatema Zainab Rajwani | 5 years 8 months, less 45 days |
| Samuel Corner | 8 years 8 months, including the GBH sentence |

All four must serve at least two-thirds of their sentence before parole.

## Who decided it, and what did the jury know?

The judge decided the question at sentencing. Novara Media reported that the jury was not told the connection was possible until after its verdict.

Socialist Worker and openDemocracy reported that, at the retrial, the judge barred the defendants from explaining their motives, including the genocide in Gaza, or Elbit's role.

## What does this mean for the Brize Norton case?

The prosecution says the Brize Norton offences have a 'terrorist connection', which would affect sentencing if any accused is convicted. No accused has been convicted.

Four Filton defendants are seeking permission to appeal, arguing that their sentences are 'manifestly excessive', according to Novara Media. The [Filton and Brize Norton comparison](https://www.brizenortonfiles.com/articles/filton-and-brize-norton-compared) puts the two cases side by side, and the [Brize Norton trial](https://www.brizenortonfiles.com/articles/brize-norton-trial-what-to-expect) covers the charges.

## Questions and answers

**What is a 'terrorist connection'?**

A judge makes the finding at sentencing, and it can lengthen a sentence for an offence that is not terrorism. In the Filton case, reporting says the finding added years to sentences for criminal damage.

**Can a terrorist connection add years without a terrorism conviction?**

Yes, according to the Filton case. The four people sentenced were convicted of criminal damage and, in one case, grievous bodily harm without intent, not of terrorism offences.

**Who decides whether there is a terrorist connection?**

The judge does, not the jury. Novara Media reported that the jury was not told a connection was possible until after its verdict.

## Sources

1. [First Filton 25 defendants sentenced as terrorists](https://thebristolcable.org/2026/06/first-filton-25-defendants-sentenced-as-terrorists/) — The Bristol Cable, 2026-06
2. [In landmark case, UK judge sentences pro-Palestine activists as terrorists](https://mondoweiss.net/2026/06/in-landmark-case-uk-judge-sentences-pro-palestine-activists-as-terrorists/) — Mondoweiss, 2026-06
3. [Palestine Action prisoners to appeal 'terrorist' sentences](https://novaramedia.com/2026/09/03/palestine-action-prisoners-to-appeal-terrorist-sentences/) — Novara Media, 2026-09-03
4. Socialist Worker — Socialist Worker