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Man found guilty of aggravated assault against Owen Jones Man found guilty of aggravated assault against Owen Jones
(32 minutes later)
Court finds James Healy assaulted Guardian columnist because of homophobia and Owen’s leftwing viewsCourt finds James Healy assaulted Guardian columnist because of homophobia and Owen’s leftwing views
A man has been found guilty of aggravated assault against the Guardian columnist Owen Jones because of hostility to his leftwing political views and homophobia, following a two-day trial at Snaresbrook crown court.A man has been found guilty of aggravated assault against the Guardian columnist Owen Jones because of hostility to his leftwing political views and homophobia, following a two-day trial at Snaresbrook crown court.
Anne Studd QC, the presiding judge, concluded at the end of the hearing that Jones was victim of a “wholly unprovoked assault” outside a central London pub last August because of “his LGBT and his leftwing beliefs”. The defendant, James Healy, 40, had “far-right” views, Studd added. Anne Studd QC, the presiding judge, concluded at the end of the hearing that Jones was the victim of a “wholly unprovoked assault” outside a central London pub last August because of “his LGBT and his leftwing beliefs”. The defendant, James Healy, 40, had “far-right” views, Studd added.
Healy had already pleaded guilty to assaulting Jones last August outside the Lexington pub in King’s Cross, north London, at about 2am. But he was on trial to determine whether his actions were motivated by homophobia or hostility to Jones’s leftwing views. Healy had already pleaded guilty to assaulting Jones last August outside the Lexington pub in King’s Cross, north London, at about 2am. But he was on trial to determine whether his actions were motivated by homophobia and hostility to Jones’s leftwing views.
The judge said that she rejected the defendant’s account of events in the early hours of 17 August in which he had claimed he had “got the hump” because Jones had bumped into him and spilled some of his drink at around 1.30am. Studying CCTV from the pub she said Healy had not appeared to remonstrate with him at the time. The judge said that she rejected the defendant’s account of events in the early hours of 17 August in which he claimed he had “got the hump” because Jones had bumped into him and spilled some of his drink at around 1.30am. Studying CCTV from the pub she said Healy had not appeared to remonstrate with Jones at the time.
The judge accepted Jones’s account of events, which was that when he was in the pub, he was greeted by either Healy or individuals next to him, and so identifying him as the man who went on to attack him half an hour later. “I am satisfied this was a targeted attack on Mr Jones because of who he is and his beliefs,” the judge concluded. The judge accepted Jones’s account of events, which was that when he was in the pub, he was greeted by either Healy or individuals next to him, and so he was able to identify Healy as the man who went on to attack him half an hour later. “I am satisfied this was a targeted attack on Mr Jones because of who he is and his beliefs,” the judge concluded.
Jones said that he had no recollection of any hostility directed at him inside the pub. Matthew Radstone, Healy’s counsel, said to Jones: “You bumped into him with a drink in his hand,” prompting the journalist to respond: “That definitely did not happen.” He added subsequently that “nothing bad or hostile at all” happened inside the pub, where he was celebrating his 35th birthday. Jones said he had no recollection of any hostility directed at him inside the pub. Matthew Radstone, Healy’s counsel, said to Jones: “You bumped into him with a drink in his hand,” prompting the journalist to respond: “That definitely did not happen.” He added subsequently that “nothing bad or hostile at all” happened inside the pub, where he was celebrating his 35th birthday.
Jones said he had a different memory of the encounter. Although he had been drinking since 7.45pm, Jones said he was “completely in control” and that he remembered an apparently jovial or friendly interaction.Jones said he had a different memory of the encounter. Although he had been drinking since 7.45pm, Jones said he was “completely in control” and that he remembered an apparently jovial or friendly interaction.
According to a witness statement from Jones, read out in court, the journalist had a conversation along the lines of: “‘Are you Owen Jones? We are big fans for your work, keep it up,’” which the writer said was typical of many interactions he had had when going out. Jones believes Healy and others used that encounter to identify him. According to a witness statement from Jones, read out in court, the journalist had a conversation along the lines of: “‘Are you Owen Jones? We are big fans for your work, keep it up,’” which the writer said was typical of many interactions he had had when going out. Jones believed Healy and others used that encounter to identify him.
A few minutes later, as Jones and a group of friends were leaving the pub, he told the court he was attacked from behind. “I was saying goodbye to a friend, then I was on the floor, unaware of what was happening, completely disorientated. I hurt my head and I think there was a period of 10 seconds where I don’t really remember what happened.”A few minutes later, as Jones and a group of friends were leaving the pub, he told the court he was attacked from behind. “I was saying goodbye to a friend, then I was on the floor, unaware of what was happening, completely disorientated. I hurt my head and I think there was a period of 10 seconds where I don’t really remember what happened.”
Additional CCTV footage taken shortly after 2am showed Healy leaving shortly after Jones, and running after him just has he was leaving the vicinity, attacking him from behind and appearing to knock him to the ground before a general skirmish ensued.Additional CCTV footage taken shortly after 2am showed Healy leaving shortly after Jones, and running after him just has he was leaving the vicinity, attacking him from behind and appearing to knock him to the ground before a general skirmish ensued.
Studd said that Healy made no attempt to speak to Jones and engaged in a “brutal assault that was clearly targeted”. She said the video contradicted Healy’s claim, given in a witness statement to police, that he had acted in self defence throughout.Studd said that Healy made no attempt to speak to Jones and engaged in a “brutal assault that was clearly targeted”. She said the video contradicted Healy’s claim, given in a witness statement to police, that he had acted in self defence throughout.
A collection of insignia and memorabilia found at Healy’s house in Portsmouth, which include badges with slogans and logos connected to the far-right group Combat 18, white supremacists and banned terror group the Loyalist Volunteer Force were all taken as evidence for Healy’s rightwing views. A collection of insignia and memorabilia found at Healy’s house in Portsmouth, which included badges with slogans and logos connected to the far-right group Combat 18, white supremacists and banned terror group the Loyalist Volunteer Force were all taken as evidence of Healy’s rightwing views.
One of the badges featured a “sun cross” – a white supremacist symbol – used by White Pride Worldwide with the “whatever it takes” motto of Combat 18 and “lead the way” used by the Loyalist Volunteer Force. Another said “Chelsea FC no asylum seekers” . The collection also included a black flag, bearing a “totenkopf” skull and cross symbol, a Nazi symbol, and the letters CYF, standing for Chelsea Youth Firm, a hooligan group associated with the west London club. One of the badges featured a “sun cross” – a white supremacist symbol – used by White Pride Worldwide with the “whatever it takes” motto of Combat 18 and “lead the way” used by the Loyalist Volunteer Force. Another said “Chelsea FC, no asylum seekers” . The collection also included a black flag, bearing a “totenkopf” skull and cross symbol, a Nazi symbol, and the letters CYF, standing for Chelsea Youth Firm, a hooligan group associated with the west London football club.
Healy had told the court that the items found at his home were “connected to football and football violence” but did not reflect far-right political views. Giving evidence, Healy said: “I didn’t understand their meanings as respects the far right.”Healy had told the court that the items found at his home were “connected to football and football violence” but did not reflect far-right political views. Giving evidence, Healy said: “I didn’t understand their meanings as respects the far right.”
Instead, the defendant said he had collected memorabilia about 20 years ago in connection with his involvement in the Chelsea Youth Firm and said he had kept them because he was “a hoarder”.Instead, the defendant said he had collected memorabilia about 20 years ago in connection with his involvement in the Chelsea Youth Firm and said he had kept them because he was “a hoarder”.
Healy acknowledged that he had a violent past and had previous convictions relating to football hooliganism, but told the court he was no longer involved. “Prior to 2012, when I went to football matches, it was with the intention to fight,” he said.Healy acknowledged that he had a violent past and had previous convictions relating to football hooliganism, but told the court he was no longer involved. “Prior to 2012, when I went to football matches, it was with the intention to fight,” he said.
But Studd said that she believed he had not changed his views since, partly because he had received a 39th birthday card with extremist symbols on it.But Studd said that she believed he had not changed his views since, partly because he had received a 39th birthday card with extremist symbols on it.
Healy is one of three men who have admitted being involved in the incident. He and Liam Tracey, 34, from Camden, north London, and Charlie Ambrose, 29, from Brighton, all pleaded guilty to affray last month. Healy also admitted a further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.Healy is one of three men who have admitted being involved in the incident. He and Liam Tracey, 34, from Camden, north London, and Charlie Ambrose, 29, from Brighton, all pleaded guilty to affray last month. Healy also admitted a further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Sentencing for all three men is due to take place next month at the earliest.Sentencing for all three men is due to take place next month at the earliest.