Tommy Robinson: 5 Reasons For His Past Jail Sentences

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known by his pseudonym Tommy Robinson, is a prominent and controversial figure in British political activism. As a co-founder of the English Defence League (EDL), his activities have often led him into legal trouble, resulting in several prison sentences. Understanding the specific reasons for his incarceration can be complex, as they span a variety of offenses over many years. This article provides a factual breakdown of five key events that led to jail time for Tommy Robinson.

By examining the court records and public reports, we can clarify the legal basis for each sentence, separating the documented charges from the surrounding political commentary. This overview aims to present the facts behind his criminal record.

1. Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (2005)

One of the earliest significant entries on Tommy Robinson’s criminal record predates his public fame. In 2005, he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an off-duty altercation.

The incident occurred in December 2003 when Robinson, then working as an engineer, got into a fight with an off-duty police officer. Reports from the time state that Robinson kicked the officer in the head during the brawl. He argued in court that he was acting in self-defense, claiming the officer had initiated the conflict. However, the court found him guilty.

For this offense, Tommy Robinson was sentenced to 12 months in prison. This conviction for violence marked his first major custodial sentence and is often cited by critics when discussing his history.

2. Using Someone Else’s Passport (2013)

In January 2013, Robinson faced legal consequences for attempting to travel to the United States using fraudulent documents. He was arrested at Heathrow Airport upon his return to the UK.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a false identity document with improper intention. The document in question was a passport belonging to his friend, Andrew McMaster. Robinson used this passport to enter the US, having been previously banned from entry due to his criminal record. He admitted to the offense, stating he used the passport because he wouldn’t have been granted a visa otherwise.

The judge sentenced him to 10 months in prison for this crime. During sentencing, the judge noted the seriousness of using a “wholly bogus” passport to circumvent immigration authorities, emphasizing that it was a “thoroughly dishonest act.”

3. Mortgage Fraud (2014)

A year later, Tommy Robinson was back in court for financial crimes. In January 2014, he was sentenced for his role in a mortgage fraud scheme. He pleaded guilty to two counts of mortgage fraud, which totaled £160,000.

The court heard that Robinson had acted as the frontman for the fraud, securing mortgages on two properties in Luton. He obtained these by making false declarations about his income, stating he was the director of a double-glazing company. In reality, he had been unemployed at the time. The scheme’s mastermind, who was Robinson’s then-father-in-law, was also jailed.

The judge acknowledged that Robinson was not the architect of the scheme but played an “essential role.” As a result, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. This case added a serious financial crime to his growing list of convictions, distinct from his street-level activism and public order offenses.

The Legal Issues Facing Tommy Robinson: Contempt of Court (2018 & 2019)

Perhaps his most internationally publicized legal battle revolved around contempt of court. The saga began in May 2018 when Robinson live-streamed a video on Facebook from outside Leeds Crown Court. The video included details about defendants in an ongoing grooming gang trial, which was subject to strict reporting restrictions to prevent prejudicing the jury.

He was arrested on the same day and sentenced to 13 months in prison for contempt of court. This sentence also included a previous suspended sentence for a similar offense in Canterbury in 2017. However, he was released after two months when the Court of Appeal quashed the finding of contempt, ordering a rehearing because of procedural flaws in the original Leeds hearing.

The case was then referred to the Attorney General. In July 2019, following a new hearing at the Old Bailey in London, he was once again found guilty of contempt of court. Judges ruled that his actions had created a “substantial risk” of serious prejudice to the trial. For this, he was sentenced to 9 months in prison. You can read more about contempt of court laws on the official UK government website.

5. Stalking and Harassment (2021)

Robinson’s more recent legal troubles have involved harassment. In 2021, he was found to have stalked and harassed journalist Lizzie Dearden and her then-boyfriend, Samuel Partridge. This followed an incident where Robinson went to Dearden’s home after she published an article about his finances.

Robinson claimed his actions were a form of “protest” and intended as a “right of reply.” However, the judge in the civil case ruled against him, issuing a stalking protection order. Later, in a separate criminal trial, he was found guilty of harassment.

While this did not initially result in a prison sentence, he was given a five-year stalking protection order and a suspended prison sentence. However, he was later jailed for failing to appear at a court hearing related to his finances in a libel case, highlighting his ongoing and complex legal entanglements. These types of cases differ from his earlier public order issues but continue to add to his record. For more on current events, check out our latest news section.

In conclusion, the jail sentences of Tommy Robinson stem from a diverse range of criminal activities over nearly two decades. His record includes convictions for violent assault, passport fraud, significant financial crime, and multiple instances of contempt of court and harassment. Each sentence was handed down by the British judiciary based on specific violations of the law, forming a legal history that is as complex as his public persona.