Right-wing British activist and journalist Tommy Robinson has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for contempt of court after admitting to breaching an injunction that barred him from repeating allegations against a Syrian refugee student, Jamal Hijazi.
The charges against Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, stem from a 2018 case in which the activist made libelous comments about Hijazi after the then-15-year-old was assaulted by fellow students outside his Yorkshire school. In multiple social media posts, interviews, and even a feature-length documentary, Robinson claimed that Hijazi was “not innocent and he violently attacks young English girls in his school.”
The ensuing libel case in 2021 resulted in Robinson being ordered to pay £100,000 in damages to Hijazi after the court found no basis for the claims.
Contempt charges were brought against Robinson for his multiple violations of the injunction, and a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for a court hearing in late July.
Robinson turned himself in on Friday in connection with the warrant.
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During sentencing, the judge criticized Robinson for “thumbing his nose at the court” and emphasized that his actions were deliberate and undermined the rule of law.
“Nobody is above the law… Nobody can pick and choose which laws and injunctions they obey and which they do not,” Justice Johnson said. “The breaches were not accidental or negligent or merely reckless. Each breach was a considered and planned and deliberate and direct and flagrant breach of the court’s order in disregard of the claimant’s rights.”
The Solicitor General noted that Robinson’s continued breaches were a significant concern, and the judge indicated that compliance could lead to a reduced sentence.
Robinson’s case has attracted considerable media and political scrutiny due to its implications on freedom of speech and community tensions stemming from immigration in the United Kingdom.
After being sentenced, Robinson released a statement via social media denouncing the charges as an attack on free speech and independent journalism.
ADMIN POST – TOMMY'S PREPARED STATEMENT – SHARE THIS EVERYWHERE!!!!
This is the speech Tommy prepared for court today, unfortunately he wasn't able to give the speech but it is his wish that you all get to read it for yourselves.
Your honour, I believe in freedom of speech and…
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) October 28, 2024
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