Crime

Tommy Robinson Jailed for 18 Months for Breaching Court Order and Defaming Syrian Refugee

Published

1 month ago

October 28, 2024

Sola Adeniji

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, has appeared in court over contempt claims (Picture: David Parry/PA Wire)

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to violating a High Court order prohibiting him from showing a defamatory video of a Syrian refugee during a protest last year.

People outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, where political activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is appearing today (Picture: PA Wire)

The far-right activist, aged 41, admitted today to breaching the order, which stemmed from a successful libel lawsuit filed against him by the refugee in 2021.

Robinson was previously ordered by the High Court not to air the video, which depicts the refugee being assaulted at a school in Huddersfield. However, he defied the ruling during a rally in Trafalgar Square in July 2023, displaying the video to his supporters.

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of political activist Tommy Robinson (right), whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appearing at Woolwich Crown Court, south London, where he is charged with two counts of contempt of court in relation to claims alleging he breached a High Court order from 2021 barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him. Picture date: Monday October 28, 2024. PA Photo.

Robinson,41, pleaded guilty to the charges at Woolwich Crown Court (Picture: PA Wire)

During a two-day hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, lawyers for the Solicitor General argued that Robinson was “thumbing his nose at the court” and undermining the rule of law.

In 2021, Robinson was ordered to pay the victim £100,000 in damages and costs after the victim made defamatory claims against him. Despite the court’s orders, Robinson continued to show the documentary “Silenced” and challenged authorities to take legal action against him.

A man wears clothing in support of anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, near London's Woolwich Crown Court where Yaxley-Lennon is due to appear over allegations of contempt of court, in London, Britain, October 28, 2024. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

A man wears clothing in support of anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, near London’s Woolwich Crown Court (Picture: Reuters)

Following his actions, the Solicitor General issued two contempt claims against Robinson, alleging he “knowingly” breached the court order on multiple occasions.

Wearing a grey suit and waistcoat, Robinson acknowledged his breaches during the court proceedings. In addition to his current charges, he faced separate charges for failing to provide police access to his mobile phone under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Tommy Robinson pictured arriving at a police station with a crowd of people behind him

Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, handed himself in at a police station on Friday

The court’s decision came after thousands of Robinson’s supporters gathered in London to protest while he was in custody. Following his admission of contempt, Nick Lowles, CEO of the campaign group Hope Not Hate, emphasised that Robinson’s actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law.

He stated, “Tommy Robinson thought he was above the law,” highlighting the extensive evidence collected against him regarding his continued defamation of the refugee.