Tommy Robinson, known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for contempt of court after breaching an injunction against repeating libelous statements.
He was previously sued for libel by Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi, resulting in a 2021 court order requiring him to pay £100,000 in damages for his defamatory remarks.
Robinson admitted to breaching the injunction multiple times between February and July 2023, demonstrating a pattern of defiance against the court's ruling.
Judge Jeremy Johnson highlighted that the breaches were not accidental; rather, they were deliberate and planned violations of the court's order, undermining judicial authority.
The Solicitor General initiated legal action against Robinson for his remarks made in various online interviews and the controversial documentary "Silenced," which has garnered millions of views.
Robinson's lawyer argued that his actions were motivated by a strong belief in free speech and a desire to expose perceived truths, framing him as a champion of free expression.
Robinson's inflammatory rhetoric has been implicated in escalating tensions and violence in Britain, particularly following the tragic murder of three young girls.
This isn't Robinson's first run-in with the law; he has prior contempt convictions and was sentenced to jail for similar offenses in 2019.
During the sentencing, the judge indicated that compliance with court orders could potentially reduce Robinson's sentence, but he visibly dismissed the notion.
Judge Johnson characterized Robinson's behavior as indicative of someone who believes he is "above the law," reflecting a troubling disregard for legal boundaries.