Tommy Robinson Re-Convicted for Reporting on Grooming Gang — Faces Up To Two Years in Prison
British independent journalist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of contempt of court for a second time over livestreaming outside a 2018 Pakistani grooming gang trial in Leeds.
The trial had been under a reporting restriction, but Robinson’s lawyers argued that information was not available on the court’s website at the time — and that he attempted to find out if there was a ban four times before going to the courthouse.
Furlong (Tommy’s lawyer) says that wilful blindness to publication bans is the right standard — a standard Tommy clearly exceeded, given his four attempts to find out about any publication ban.
— Ezra Levant 🍁 (@ezralevant) July 5, 2019
Robinson had previously served 10 weeks in prison for the offense before the charges were overturned in the Court of Appeal. Their ruling that found he was improperly tried, convicted, sentenced and imprisoned. Though he was released, the court left the option open to try him again for the same incident — which they did this week.
Robinson now faces up to two years in prison, but his sentencing will be determined at a later date.
BREAKING: Court finds Tommy Robinson guilty of contempt of court in three ways.
— Andrew Lawton (@AndrewLawton) July 5, 2019
A massive amount of supporters had shown up to court and began chanting “shame on you” at the court when the verdict was announced.
Tommy Robinson has arrived at the Old Bailey for the second day of a two day contempt of court hearing. Attorney General trying to overturn a successful appeal which saw him released from a 13month prison term last year. pic.twitter.com/9DnQi8XYO2
— Mark White (@skymarkwhite) July 5, 2019