Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Right-winger given a lecture
The founder of the English Defence League has narrowly avoided prison after “gatecrashing” the courthouse during the trial. Tommy Robinson – who appeared under his real name Stephen Yaxley-lennon – had arrived at Canterbury Crown Court as evidence was still being given.
Claiming to work for the Canadian-based online Rebel Media, he walked through the concourse intending to confront the defendants.
But he was instead given a judicial ear-bashing about British laws.
Judge Heather Norton told him: “This is not about free speech, not about the freedom of the Press, nor about legitimate journalism, and not about political correctness.
“It is about justice and ensuring that a trial can be carried out justly and fairly. It’s about being innocent until proven guilty.
“It is about preserving the integrity of the jury to continue without people being intimidated or being affected by irresponsible and inaccurate ‘reporting’, if that’s what it was.”
After discovering that security staff had made arrangements for the jury and the defendants to leave by a side entrance, Robinson began filming himself inside the court building, accusing the police of colluding in a cover-up.
He was later arrested for being in contempt of court because it is an offence to make videos or take photographs inside the building.
He was ordered to appear in front of Canterbury’s top judge, where he apologised for his