Tommy Robinson faces jail after being found in contempt of court
Two senior judges found the 36-year-old was in contempt when he filmed defendants in a criminal trial outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.
Tommy Robinson faces jail after being found in contempt of court by High Court judges for filming defendants in a criminal trial and broadcasting the footage on social media.
Two senior judges found the former English Defence League (EDL) leader was in contempt when he filmed defendants accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls and live-streaming the footage, in breach of a reporting ban, outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.
But Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting at the Old Bailey with Mr Justice Warby, found him in contempt in three respects.
Robinson, wearing a blue jacket, blue shirt and jeans, showed little reaction as the judge announced the decision.
But in the street outside court there was anger from Robinson supporters as the verdict filtered through.
A small number marched purposefully towards the front of the court entrance, to barriers sectioning off police from the public.
The crowd, as one, then began chanting “shame on you” and pointed at the court.
Robinson broadcast the footage on May 25, 2018 while the jury in the second of a series of linked grooming trials was considering its verdict.
A reporting restriction was in place which postponed the publication of any details of the case until the end of all the trials involving 29 people, in a bid to ensure all defendants received a fair trial.
The 36-year-old, from Luton, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 13 months after being found in contempt of court on the day of the broadcast.
The video lasted an hour-and-a-half and was viewed online 250,000 times after being live-streamed on Facebook.
But the case was then referred back to the Attorney General, who announced in March that it was in the public interest to bring fresh proceedings against Robinson.
Dame Victoria and Mr Justice Warby gave permission for the Attorney General to bring a new case against Robinson at a hearing in May.
Contempt of court carries a maximum sentence of two years.
