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Tommy Robinson case: Supporters hurl beer cans as protests erupt after former EDL leader found in contempt of court

Live updates from the Old Bailey contempt hearing

Peter Stubley
Old Bailey
Friday 05 July 2019 12:39 EDT
Tommy Robinson arrives at the Old Bailey for contempt of court hearing

Tommy Robinson is facing another prison sentence after being found in contempt of court by judges at the Old Bailey.

The 36 year-old founder of the English Defence League breached reporting restrictions on a grooming trial by livestreaming a video outside Leeds Crown Court and “aggressively confronting” defendants in the case.

Robinson, who is in court under his real name of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was previously jailed for 13 months in May 2018 but was freed on appeal because the original contempt hearing was “rushed”.

Two High Court judges, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Warby, are due to decide on the sentence at another hearing on 11 July.

See below for our liveblog on the court hearing at the Old Bailey:

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Judges will give full reasons and decide on sentence at a future hearing on a date to be set.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:14
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Date for sentencing could be 9 July, say judges. Robinson's barrister asks for more time to prepare a medical report.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:15
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Judges have risen to consider the date of next hearing.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:17
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Robinson did not show much reaction to the decision. He is stood in court with his hands clasped in front of him.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:18
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Outside court a couple of members of the public chanted: "You're not fit to wipe my arse," while a woman with a loud speaker said: "You're disgusting, the bloody lot of you."

Some supporters stood in silent disbelief.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:28
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The date for the next hearing is "provisionally" 11 July - but this could change.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:29
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Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:35
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Tommy Robinson is consulting with his legal team before leaving court. A crowd of supporters await him, along with a squad of about 20 City of London police officers, neatly lined up in a column next to a police van.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:37
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Speaking after the hearing, the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said: "Posting material online that breaches reporting restrictions or risks prejudicing legal proceedings is a very serious matter and this is reflected in the court's decision today.

"I would urge everyone to think carefully about whether their social media posts could amount to contempt of court."

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:38
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Outside court, some supporters stormed the fences separating them from journalists. Beer cans were hurled at the media.

A Robinson aide attempted to temper the disruption by climbing onto a friend's shoulders and calling for calm.

Peter Stubley5 July 2019 16:38

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