Tommy Robinson supporters hurl beer cans at journalists as tensions flare over judge’s decision
Chants of ‘shame on you’ and ‘scum’ outside Old Bailey as news of contempt of court verdict reaches supporters
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Beer cans were hurled at journalists as anger flared among Tommy Robinson’s supporters after he was found in contempt of court.
A crowd of supporters outside the Old Bailey chanted “shame on you”, as some lobbed missiles at the media reporting on the trial as news of the ruling trickled through.
The English Defence League leader was ruled to be in contempt of court after he breached reporting restrictions by filming grooming trial defendants in Leeds last year.
As Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, left court on Friday surrounded by media and security, two of his supporters sprang up to film journalists, calling them “scum”.
Moments earlier, inside the court, the man himself had shown little reaction as a High Court judge announced the decision.
Addressing the crowd gathered on the street outside, Robinson insisted the ruling was wrong and repeated claims that the verdict would have a negative impact on press freedom.
He said: “I’ve been convicted ‘cos of who I am, not what I’ve done.”
The judges found Robinson in contempt for “aggressively confronting and filming” defendants accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls and live-streaming the footage outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.
The defendant denied any wrongdoing, claiming he did not believe he was breaching any reporting restrictions and that he only referred to information that was already in the public domain.
But Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting at the Old Bailey with Mr Justice Warby on Friday, found him in contempt in three respects.
She said he had breached a reporting ban imposed on the trial by live-streaming the video from outside the public entrance to the court and by “aggressively confronting and filming” some of the defendants.
The judge added the content of the video “gave rise to a substantial risk that the course of justice in that case would be seriously impeded” and the confrontation of the defendants was a direct interference with the course of justice.
Robinson’s sentencing hearing has been provisionally set for 11 July, depending on the availability of a medical expert to assess him.
Dame Victoria said the court will aim to give full reasons for the decision next week.
Contempt of court carries a maximum sentence of two years.
Press Association contributed to this report.