Palestine Action activist remanded in custody after RAF Brize Norton break-in
Two Voyager planes were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20 - ITV News
An alleged Palestine Action activist accused of vandalising two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in a £7m attack has been remanded in custody on Monday.
Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, was charged by anti-terror police after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at the Oxfordshire base on June 20.
Palestine Action, which has since been proscribed by the Government, said it was behind the incident.
Mr Khalid, of Stockport, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for the purposes prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK, between June 1 and June 21.
Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and family address.
Prosecutor Peter Ratliff said: “At approximately 1.40am on June 20, activists travelled to a RAF base at Brize Norton in two vehicles which were bearing false number plates.”
A ‘significant quantity of red paint’ is alleged to have been sprayed into the engine of each aircraft - X
He said the protesters used “two e-scooters to travel to two RAF Voyager aircraft” before spraying a “significant quantity of red paint into the engine of each aircraft”.
Mr Ratliff said the activists had put “metal crowbars” into “engine rotors” of the aircraft.
“The full cost of repairs is not yet known, but is estimated to be in the region of £7m, which will be paid for in all likelihood by the taxpayer,” he said.
The prosecutor added: “Palestine Action group formed in 2020 and have since been responsible for multiple criminal offences in the course of purported direct action protests.
“Protests typically involve the damaging of property and premises they consider to be linked to or supportive of Israel in respect of Israel’s approach to Palestinian people and territory, and more recently the active conflict in Gaza.”
The action was claimed by the group Palestine Action - X
Mr Khalid was remanded in custody ahead of a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on Aug 22.
District Judge John Zani said: “These are serious allegations and in the event of conviction, as the law stands, a lengthy prison sentence cannot be ruled out.”
Mr Khalid waved and saluted towards his friends and family in the public gallery before being led from the dock.
Last month, Amy Gardiner-Gibson, 29, Jony Cink, 24, Daniel Jeronymides-Norie, 35, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22, appeared in court charged with the same offences.
The full cost of repairs is estimated to be about £7m - X
They were remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on Jan 16 2026.
Their eight-week trial was fixed for Jan 18 2027.
The Ministry of Defence had said at the time of the incident: “The UK’s defence estate is vital to our national security and this Government will not tolerate those who put that security at risk.
“This Government is taking the strong step of proscribing Palestine Action due to its activities, which are a threat to our national security.”
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