The Catch-up: Chaos outside court after Tommy Robinson found guilty of contempt
What happened?
Tommy Robinson faces jail after being found in contempt of court for filming defendants in a criminal trial and broadcasting the footage on social media. Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, could be jailed for up to two years after the ruling by High Court judges. The former EDL leader broke reporting restrictions to livestream the faces of defendants accused of child grooming in Huddersfield in 2018. The 36-year-old, from Luton, was initially jailed for 13 months over the illegal broadcast. He served two months in jail before being freed after an appeal in August 2018.
Trouble outside the courtroom
Disorder broke out outside the court as the verdict filtered through to the crowds of supporters of Mr Robinson. Police raised their batons after some supporters stormed fences separating them from the media and the public, and beer cans were also thrown at journalists. An aide to Mr Robinson attempted to diffuse the situation by climbing onto another person’s shoulders and calling for calm.
Howls of fury and disbelief came when the verdict was first announced. Parts of the crowd began chanting “shame on you” and pointed at the court while others stood in silent disbelief. A woman with a loud speaker said: “You’re disgusting, the bloody lot of you.”
Contempt of court carries a maximum sentence of two years. The sentence will be revealed on Thursday 11 July.
Read more:
Tommy Robinson 'egged on vigilantes with live-stream' (Evening Standard)
Robinson believed he would be 'killed in prison' (Sky News)
Robinson’s battlebus slapped with parking ticket(Yahoo News UK)
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