Three women on trial over factory protest linked to Gaza conflict

Three women are on trial accused of attacking a factory in Newcastle with red paint in protest over its alleged links to Israeli military action in Gaza. Prosecutors told the city’s crown court that the women carried out a coordinated action in February 2025, targeting Pearson Engineering in what was described as a well-planned effort to disrupt operations.

The court heard that two of the women climbed onto the roof of a guardhouse using a ladder from a flatbed truck, cut through razor wire, sprayed red paint from fire extinguishers and fired stones at the building. A third woman allegedly dumped rubble at the site entrance and attempted to chain herself to the vehicle. Two men dressed in black reportedly assisted before fleeing the scene.

A security guard told jurors he felt frightened and believed the site was under attack as paint was sprayed and objects were thrown. Prosecutors said the women’s strongly held beliefs did not amount to a legal defence. All three deny criminal damage, and the trial is expected to last up to six days.