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Ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson jailed at Leeds court | Ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson jailed at Leeds court |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson has been jailed for potentially prejudicing a court case, it can be reported. | Former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson has been jailed for potentially prejudicing a court case, it can be reported. |
Robinson, who appeared in the dock under real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested in Leeds on Friday. | Robinson, who appeared in the dock under real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was arrested in Leeds on Friday. |
The 35-year-old was broadcasting on social media outside the city's crown court where a trial was ongoing. | The 35-year-old was broadcasting on social media outside the city's crown court where a trial was ongoing. |
A ban on reporting his 13-month sentence at the same court was lifted after being challenged by the media. | A ban on reporting his 13-month sentence at the same court was lifted after being challenged by the media. |
Robinson, from Bedfordshire, pleaded guilty to a charge of contempt of court. | |
A judge told him his actions could cause the ongoing trial to be re-run, costing "hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds". | |
In footage which was played to the court on Friday, Robinson was seen filming himself and people involved in the trial. | |
The court heard how the footage, which supposedly lasted around an hour, had been watched 250,000 times within hours of being posted online via Facebook. | |
During Friday's hearing, Matthew Harding, defending, claimed that his client had "deep regret" for what he had done. | |
"He was mindful, having spoken to others and taken advice, not to say things that he thought would actually prejudice these proceedings," Mr Harding said. | |
"He did not try to cause difficulties for the court process." | |
Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said: "Not only was it a very long video, but I regard it as a serious aggravating feature that he was encouraging others to share it and it had been shared widely. | |
"That is the nature of the contempt. | |
Robinson was already subject to a suspended sentence for a contempt charge related to a separate case in Canterbury. | Robinson was already subject to a suspended sentence for a contempt charge related to a separate case in Canterbury. |
The judge had warned him then he should expect to go to prison if he committed further offences. | |
Robinson was given 10 months in jail for contempt of court, and a further three months for beaching the previous suspended sentence. | |
Judge Geoffrey Marson QC initially imposed restrictions for fear that reporting his arrest would prejudice an ongoing trial. | |
Following the arrest there were protests outside Downing Street over the weekend. | |
Robinson founded the far-right EDL in 2009. | Robinson founded the far-right EDL in 2009. |
It became known for its street marches and demonstrations in towns and cities before he quit the group in 2013. | It became known for its street marches and demonstrations in towns and cities before he quit the group in 2013. |