A Palestine Action activist “whipped” a security guard during an alleged attack on an Israel-based defence firm's UK site, a trial has heard.
Charlotte Head, Samuel Corner, Leona Kamio, Fatema Rajwani, Zoe Rogers and Jordan Devlin are accused of carrying out a "meticulously organised" attack at an Elbit Systems factory in Bristol in the early hours of August 6 last year.
The Palestine Action activists are accused by prosecutors of breaking into the firm's UK site in a prison van before using sledgehammers as weapons on security guards and police officers while wearing red jumpsuits.
Security guard Angelo Volante told Woolwich Crown Court on Friday that the activists were "armed and threatening us with harm" and "resorted to using physical violence", adding that he was "sprayed with a fire extinguisher".
Giving evidence, Mr Volante told the trial: "I saw a large group advancing towards us while using pyrotechnics and fireworks to threaten us."
Mr Volante told jurors that he was "whipped on the right side" by Head.
After Head's lawyer Rajiv Menon KC denied this took place, Mr Volante said: "She did have a whip and she used the whip on me at some point during the struggle."
Footage was shown to jurors of a confrontation at the site in which prosecutors allege Rogers swings a sledgehammer towards Mr Volante.
After Rogers’ lawyer Audrey Mogan suggested it made no contact with the security guard, Mr Volante said: “I think it did make some contact, it wasn't a direct hit, it was a brushing of my hand as I was reaching out.”
On the footage of the incident Mr Volante can be heard saying: “If you swing that once more it's going to get really serious.”
Asked by Ms Mogan what that comment meant, Mr Volante said: “Really serious as in the consequences if you hit me and injure me are going to be really serious.
“I'd defend myself, I'd use more physical force.”
Mr Volante, who took possession of a sledgehammer during the incident, added: “Being really serious did not mean using the sledgehammer.
“I did not take any swings at anyone with a sledgehammer.”
Asked by Devlin's lawyer Andrew Morris if he struck Devlin, the security guard replied: "I'm confident I did not strike him with a sledgehammer.
"I don't think there was any intentional strike, if there was any strike to Mr Devlin, it was in the struggle."
Mr Volante added: "The only thing I remember being said to me by Mr Devlin was something to do with Star Wars - with me representing the empire and them being the rebels."
Footage was also shown to jurors of Mr Volante shouting at people in red jumpsuits on the floor.
Asked whether this was necessary, the security guard said: "That was to mitigate any further violence or intervening in arrests.
"It delivered the effect that was required without the use of any physical force."
Mr Volante said he "confiscated" an angle grinder during the events.
Asked what Elbit security guards are told to do in such situations, Mr Volante said: "We're encouraged to intervene while simultaneously calling the police.
"We're there to contain and manage the incident and to intervene to stop criminal damage, threat to life, threat to injury."
All six defendants were arrested at the factory on the day.
The prosecutor said Elbit Systems UK manufactures defence technology equipment and is a UK-registered company whose parent company is based in Israel.
Head, 29; Kamio, 30; Rajwani, 21; Rogers, 22; Devlin, 31; and Corner, 23, deny aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder.
Corner has denied causing police sergeant Kate Evans grievous bodily harm with intent.
The trial continues.
