William Plastow’s mother believes it is the longest anyone will have been held awaiting trial on protest-related charges
The mother of a man charged in relation to a protest at a site belonging to an Israeli arms manufacturer has said it is outrageous that he faces 21 months in jail before his case goes to trial.
William Plastow, 34, who lives in Manchester, is one of the “Filton 18”, accused of taking part in a Palestine Action protest against an Elbit Systems factory near Bristol in August last year. He denies charges of criminal damage, violent disorder and aggravated burglary.
Plastow, a script editor, and five more of the 18, who are all being held in prison, have been given a trial date of April next year.
Custody time limits stipulate that defendants should not spend more than six months in jail awaiting trial. Under new sentencing rules for England and Wales, which allow the release of convicted criminals after serving a third of their sentences, Plastow will have served the equivalent of a sentence of more than five years before going to trial.
