Hearing set to decide 'terror sentencing' of activists who targeted Barclays
Hearing set to decide 'terror sentencing' of activists who targeted Barclays Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 08/06/2026 - 14:28 Judge Altham, who previously issued 'manifestly excessive' sentences to anti-fracking activists, is set to determine whether the offences carry a 'terrorist connection' The defendants allegedly spray painted and splintered windows at a Barclays bank branch in Burnley over…
A hearing is set to take place to determine whether five activists convicted of criminal damage at a Barclays bank branch in Burnley should be sentenced as terrorists. The defendants - Brendon O'Hagan, Amanda Kelly, Hmeera Atiqnisar, Mohammed Malik, and Alma Yaniv - were found guilty in June 2026 of causing £212,000 worth of damage to the bank in August 2024.
Judge Phillip Parry ordered the hearing, expecting to consider applying a "terrorist connection", even though jurors were not told about the possibility during the trial. The case echoes a previous incident in 2018 where Judge Altham issued "manifestly excessive" prison sentences to anti-fracking activists, which the Court of Appeal deemed inappropriate.
The CPS argued that the defendants should receive a terror sentencing, despite not mentioning it during the trial. Palestine Action, the activist group, has criticized the move as a "gross overreach" and expressed shock at Judge Altham's decision, as the jury was unaware they were convicting the defendants of terrorism.
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