Tommy Robinson case - live: EDL founder's supporters attack journalists after he is jailed for contempt of court
Live updates from Old Bailey hearing
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Tommy Robinson has been sent back to prison for encouraging ”vigilante action” against defendants in a grooming gang trial during a video livestreamed on Facebook.
The founder of the English Defence League was found in contempt of court last week over the film, which breached reporting restrictions on the case in Leeds in May 2018 and came close to collapsing the case against the guilty men.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was originally jailed for 13 months last year but was freed on appeal.
Appearing at the Old Bailey today, he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, reduced to 19 weeks because of time already served. The maximum sentence available to the judges was two years' imprisonment.
Follow live updates from court in our liveblog below
Robinson stands up in court.
Dame Victoria Sharp: "You will be committed in prison for a period of 19 weeks".
He will serve up to one half of that period.
Robinson sits in court nodding his head at supporters in public gallery. No vocal reacion in court.
Someone purporting to be Tommy Robinson has sent this message over the Telegram app: "Sentenced to prison for journalism. Time for protests to start, this is an absolute joke!'' It added: "Protest outside whatever prison I'm in on Saturday please.''
The effect is that Robinson's sentence has been reduced from the original 13 months passed at Leeds Crown Court last year. So in one way it was worth appealing.
However, Robinson will only have to spend another 9.5 weeks in prison, before being released. And he could be released before that for good behaviour.
Outside court, Robinson's supporters booed as news of his sentence filtered through.
The crowd marched towards the Old Bailey chanting "we want Tommy out" before some began pelting police with drinks bottles and cans.
Officers donned their helmets as violent clashes erupted, reports the Press Association.
In a damning ruling, Dame Victoria Sharp said Robinson lied to the court during his contempt hearing.
She said: "The respondent cannot be given credit for pleading guilty. He has lied about a number of matters and sought to portray himself as the victim of unfairness and oppression.
"This does not increase his sentence, but it does mean that there can be no reduction for an admission of guilt."
Speaking after the sentencing, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC said: "Today's sentencing of Yaxley-Lennon serves to illustrate how seriously the courts will take matters of contempt.
"Posting material online that breaches reporting restrictions or risks prejudicing legal proceedings has consequences, and I would urge everyone to think carefully about whether their social media posts could amount to contempt of court."
Robinson still sat with his lawyers in court as judges finish off some administrative details.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.