Tommy Robinson Sentenced to 18 Months for Breaching Court Injunction

British anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for contempt of court after breaching an injunction related to a previous libel case. The ruling comes after Yaxley-Lennon admitted to repeatedly violating the court’s order, which was put in place following a successful libel lawsuit against him.

Key Takeaways

• Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, sentenced to 18 months in prison.
• Breached court injunction related to a libel case against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi.
• Judge described the breaches as deliberate and planned.
• Yaxley-Lennon claims his actions were motivated by a desire for free speech.

Background of the Case

In 2021, Yaxley-Lennon was ordered by London’s High Court to pay £100,000 in damages to Jamal Hijazi, a Syrian refugee, after being found guilty of libel. Following this ruling, an injunction was issued to prevent him from repeating the defamatory statements. However, between February 2023 and July 2024, Yaxley-Lennon admitted to breaching this injunction multiple times.

Court Proceedings

During the sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Johnson emphasized the intentional nature of Yaxley-Lennon’s actions. He stated, "The breaches were not accidental or negligent or merely reckless. Each breach of the injunction was a considered and planned and deliberate and direct and flagrant breach of the court’s order."

The Solicitor General’s office took legal action against Yaxley-Lennon due to comments made in various online interviews and a controversial documentary titled ‘Silenced’, which has garnered millions of views. The documentary was notably played in London’s Trafalgar Square in July, further inflaming public sentiment.

Previous Legal Issues

This is not the first time Yaxley-Lennon has faced legal repercussions. He was previously jailed for contempt of court in 2019 and has a history of criminal convictions. His actions have been criticized for inciting tensions, particularly following violent riots in Britain after the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport.

Defense Arguments

Yaxley-Lennon’s lawyer, Sasha Wass, argued that his client acted out of a passionate belief in free speech and the need to expose what he perceives as the truth. Wass also claimed that the documentary ‘Silenced’ was effectively commissioned by U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars company, suggesting external influences on Yaxley-Lennon’s actions.

Sentencing Details

Judge Johnson sentenced Yaxley-Lennon to 18 months in prison, with three days already served since his arrest. He will spend half of his sentence in custody, with the possibility of reducing it by four months if he takes steps to rectify his contempt, such as removing copies of ‘Silenced’. As the judge spoke, Yaxley-Lennon was seen mouthing "nah" in response to the proceedings, indicating his defiance.

The judge concluded that Yaxley-Lennon’s behavior suggests he believes he is "above the law," a sentiment that has been echoed by various media and political commentators. This case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding free speech, activism, and the legal boundaries that govern public discourse in the UK.

Sources

• UK anti-Islam activist ‘Tommy Robinson’ jailed for breaching injunction | Reuters, Reuters.