Peter Jones, 41 of Alderfen Way, Hoveton, was charged with burglary and criminal damage following a protest at what is believed to be a drone factory in Braunstone, near Leicester.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday and entered a not guilty plea.

One member appeared to use an angle grinder to cut part of the roof (Image: X/The_aftershock)

The charges related to a report that a van had driven into a gate at business premises just after 3am on Friday, Leicestershire Police said.

Video footage from the incident appeared to show people abseiling down through the roof of the factory building and kicking parts of the ceiling.

Red paint also appeared to be splattered throughout.

The business is understood to be drone factory, UAV Tactical Systems.

Israel-based defence firm Elbit Systems’ UK arm announced in January that it had fully acquired UAV Tactical Systems, which supplies uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) – otherwise known as drones.

© Norwich Evening News