#gower — Public Fediverse posts

GOWER: ‘My daughter could be sentenced as a terrorist for damaging drones’ — Pennard mum speaks out ahead of June sentencing

A Gower mother says she is frightened for her daughter’s future after learning she could be sentenced as a terrorist next month — despite never having been charged with a terrorism offence.

Emma Kamio, from Pennard, says her daughter Leona — known as Ellie — was convicted of criminal damage at the Filton, Bristol plant of Elbit Systems, an Israeli-owned defence technology company. Ellie Kamio, 30, is one of four people due to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on 12 June.

The case has drawn significant attention after reporting restrictions, which had prevented the details from being publicly known, were lifted by a judge at Woolwich Crown Court.

The four defendants were convicted of damaging quadcopter drones inside Elbit Systems’ Bristol research and development facility. Under Section 69 of the Sentencing Act 2020, a judge can apply a “terrorist connection” as an aggravating factor at sentencing — even where defendants have not been convicted of a terrorism offence.

Supporters of the four say the jury was not told this would apply when they returned their verdicts, and that had they known, they might have reached different conclusions.

A spokesperson for campaign group Defend Our Juries said: “The public will be astonished to learn that in the British justice system a protester can now be convicted of criminal damage for disrupting an arms factory, and then be sentenced as a ‘terrorist’ without having been convicted of terror charges and with this having been kept secret from the jury.”

The practical consequences of a terrorist connection finding at sentencing could be significant. The four defendants have already spent 18 months on remand — equivalent to nearly four years under standard sentencing guidelines, the upper limit for criminal damage.

With a terrorist connection applied, they would be required to serve their full sentence and could only be released early if a parole board was satisfied they had renounced their beliefs. Upon release, they could be placed on a terrorism licence for up to 15 years, requiring them to register new devices, bank accounts, emails and relationships with police.

Anti-war activist Angie Zelter, from Knucklas in Powys, who has previously been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, said the case was “of the utmost importance for the general public to be aware of.”

Mr Justice Johnson, who presided over the trial, ruled that the terrorist connection provision applied because the defendants were seeking to influence the Israeli government by restricting its access to weapons. The ruling has been disputed by the defendants’ supporters, who argue that a conscientious motive would normally be considered a mitigating factor rather than an aggravating one.

The judge also restricted what defence barristers could say to the jury during the trial. Five of the six defence barristers withdrew before closing speeches following those restrictions. A court order has now lifted the reporting ban on those events.

All defences on the charge of criminal damage were ruled inadmissible before evidence was heard, meaning the defendants were not permitted to argue that their actions were legally justified. Following the guilty verdicts, the prosecution did not apply to revoke bail — but the judge did so anyway, returning the defendants to prison, where they remain.

Elbit Systems describes itself as one of Israel’s largest defence electronics companies. The Filton facility is a research and development hub. The company has been the subject of sustained protest activity in the UK in recent years. The action for which the four were convicted took place before Palestine Action — a group associated with protests at Elbit facilities — was proscribed as a terrorist organisation.

The case is not the first time the conflict in Gaza has brought legal proceedings to the UK courts with a Wales connection. An Irish man living in Burry Port was detained by the Israeli navy on his 75th birthday after a Gaza aid ship was seized in international waters, while a Swansea humanitarian was among Britons aboard a Gaza flotilla that prompted MPs including Gower’s Tonia Antoniazzi to raise safety concerns.

The sentencing is due to take place on 12 June.

Related coverage

Burry Port man detained by Israeli navy after Gaza aid ship seized in international waters
An Irish man living in West Wales was held on his 75th birthday after the vessel was intercepted.

Swansea humanitarian among Britons on Gaza flotilla as MPs raise safety concerns
A Swansea resident was aboard the aid vessel as politicians called for action.

Gower MP issues update on Swansea humanitarian detained with Gaza flotilla
Tonia Antoniazzi’s intervention after the flotilla was intercepted.

Sharing Table’s Christmas hamper campaign celebrates seventh year delivering festive cheer across Gower

The 2025 campaign marked the seventh consecutive year that The Sharing Table has organised Christmas deliveries, with more than 100 hampers distributed across the constituency. Each one was filled with locally sourced, high‑quality produce with the support of businesses including Karl Davies Butcher and Shepherds of Gorseinon.

Ms Antoniazzi, who has backed the project since its launch in 2019, reflected on the importance of the initiative at a time when households across Swansea’s north and western communities continue to feel the strain.

Speaking on the campaign, Tonia Antoniazzi MP said:

“This campaign is a reminder of what makes our community here in Gower and across Swansea so special. Although Gower is often seen as an affluent area, it encompasses many post‑industrial and rural communities where families still face real challenges. These hampers make a meaningful difference every Christmas, and I’m hugely grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s campaign possible.”

The Sharing Table was founded by Andrew Copson, who initially set out to ensure families who needed a little extra support at Christmas never went without.

The project has since expanded beyond festive support, now helping to install kitchens in local schools, giving pupils and community groups access to vital cooking and nutrition education.

Andrew Copson expressed his gratitude to the community for their ongoing commitment.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported The Sharing Table throughout the year. Whether you donated, volunteered, partnered with us, or helped spread the word, you’ve played a vital part in making sure families across our community feel supported and valued.

“The generosity we see year after year is truly humbling, and it’s what keeps this project growing. I’m incredibly grateful to every individual and local business who has stood with us.”

Ms Antoniazzi added:

“It has been a privilege to support The Sharing Table’s wider work. Their school kitchens project makes a positive impact far beyond Christmas. Its been brilliant seeing them helping young people gain confidence to cook, learn about food and nutrition, and gain some important life skills. Andrew and his team are an inspiration, and the whole community should be proud of what they’ve achieved.”

Tonia also thanked the volunteers, donors, and local businesses whose support ensured the 2025 hampers reached families from Cockett to Gorseinon, Penclawdd to West Cross, and across the Gower peninsula.

“Every volunteer who packed a hamper, every business that contributed, and every individual who gave time or money helped brighten someone’s Christmas. Your kindness brought joy to homes across Gower.”

Residents wishing to support The Sharing Table, whether through donations, volunteering, or contributing to next year’s hamper campaign are encouraged to get in touch with The Sharing Table or Tonia Antoniazzi MPs constituency office.

The remaining stones of the chamber of Sweyne's Howes (North) chambered tomb on the slopes below Rhossili Down, Gŵyr/Gower for #StandingStoneSunday. There are two tombs here, as well as many Bronze Age cairns and a prehistoric settlement.

This visit March 2012.
#Gower #SouthWales #Neolithic

Worms Head at Rhossili, Gower from a trip earlier this year. A fantastic if technically difficult walk that can be done at low tide. 🌊🌊🥾🥾

#WordsHead #Rhossili #Gower #Wales #Cymru #Nordic #DevilsBridge #Causeway #Vikings #Dragon #SleepingDragon

Slipped in a cheeky Slow Ways today between Llanelli and Burry Port. Gorgeous far reaching views over Gower along the coast path. Definitely recommended! #SlowWays #Llanelli #BurryPort #Carmarthenshire #Gower #CoastPath #Seaview #SosbanFach #YGwr

Wet and wild weekend in #Wales with school friends. Staying in #Horton (included view from bedroom window from which I could see the sea).

Went for a walk in #Rhossili to see the Worm in #Gower, and we were invited into the Coast Guard station as the weather was so foul, and we were unable to make it to the end of the Worm and back in time.

#WalksInWales #DaysOutInWales

This is my Christmas Cabin in Oxford Street in Swansea City Centre. I am here 7 days a week until 21st December! #photography #swansea #ccs #swanseacity #christmasmarket #christmas #xmas #xmasmarket #xmas2022 #buylocal #outdoorselling #selfemployed #gower #wales #cymru

Todays walk took me up into the hills above #MargamPark .Great views including this Panorama, looking over industrial #PortTalbot with The #Gower in the far distance. Also got an obligatory #Defaidodon pic, A flowering #Rhododendron (In November!?!) and some funky #Fungi

#Wales #Cymru

Here's a picture I took while on a hike 9 years ago just outside Horton on the Gower peninsula. I like this one, and I hope you do too!

#Photography #Horton #Gower #Swansea #Wales #Fishing