Man Missed Mother's Final Year While Jailed Over Arms Factory Protest

A man accused of taking part in a protest at an Israeli-owned arms factory told a UK court that he missed the last year of his mother's life while he was held in prison. William Plastow, 35, is one of eight people charged in connection with a raid on an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, near Bristol, in August 2024. He was arrested on 9 August 2024 and kept in custody for 18 months. During that time, his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Plastow was finally granted bail on compassionate grounds. He was able to spend only the last four days of her life at her bedside. 'I missed the last year of her life,' he told the court. Palestine Action, the group involved, is known for protests against Israeli military companies. The case continues.