British far-right political activist Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail after admitting to being in contempt of court by repeatedly making false accusations about a Syrian refugee. Robinson, the founder of the now-defunct English Defence League (EDL), admitted to breaching UK court rules on 10 occasions.
The case stemmed from Robinson's involvement in a libel suit in 2021, where he made baseless allegations against a Syrian schoolboy who was a victim of a widely shared social media incident. The footage showed the 15-year-old refugee being taunted and physically assaulted by other students at his school in Huddersfield, northern England.
Robinson falsely claimed in social media videos that the teenager had attacked English girls, which he later deleted. He also admitted to sharing a fake photograph depicting violence by a Muslim gang. The judge at London's Woolwich Crown Court emphasized that Robinson's breaches of court rules were deliberate and planned to gain maximum coverage.
During the sentencing hearing, Justice Johnson stated, 'Nobody is above the law,' underscoring the severity of Robinson's actions. The court found that Robinson had published a film titled 'Silenced' on social media, reiterating the defamatory allegations against the Syrian refugee. Additionally, he screened the film at a rally in London's Trafalgar Square, further spreading the false claims.
The judge's decision to impose an 18-month jail term on Robinson serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for individuals who engage in contempt of court and disseminate misinformation. Robinson's case highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for those who violate it.
