Tommy Robinson case - live: EDL founder's supporters attack journalists after he is jailed for contempt of court

Live updates from Old Bailey hearing

Tommy Robinson enters the Old Bailey ahead of sentencing

Tommy Robinson has been sent back to prison for encouraging ”vigilante action” against defendants in a grooming gang trial during a video livestreamed on Facebook.

The founder of the English Defence League was found in contempt of court last week over the film, which breached reporting restrictions on the case in Leeds in May 2018 and came close to collapsing the case against the guilty men.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was originally jailed for 13 months last year but was freed on appeal.

Appearing at the Old Bailey today, he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, reduced to 19 weeks because of time already served. The maximum sentence available to the judges was two years' imprisonment.

Follow live updates from court in our liveblog below

Key Points

• Tommy Robinson arrives late for sentencing at Old Bailey
• EDL founder faces up to two years in prison
• What are the sentencing options?
• Robinson claims a jail sentence would be a 'win'
• Judges ruled Robinson encouraged vigilante action

[11 July 2019 08:15 · Peter Stubley]

There is a significant police security operation outside the Old Bailey for today's hearing, which is likely to attract another large crowd of supporters and potentially some anti-racism campaigners.

The road leading up to the main entrance to the court has already been blocked off by police.

[11 July 2019 09:07 · Peter Stubley]

There is no Tommy Robinson supporters bus outside court today - probably because it would get another parking ticket...

[11 July 2019 09:12 · Peter Stubley]

There are, however, at least eight police vans in and around the court, plus several police cars and lots of security fencing.

Seems to be a larger crowd than at last week's hearing, with some waving Union Jack flags and chanting "We want Tommy out". Out of the UK? It's not entirely clear.

A man with a microphone addressed those gathered, telling them: "We're here for Tommy Robinson" and "Leave our Tommy alone".

One supporter carried a sign reading: "The Nazis blindly followed orders. Will the police do the same."

According to Press Association, the crowd includes a man wearing a Union flag suit and five women on mobility scooters.

Tommy Robinson's supporters outside the Old Bailey 

[11 July 2019 09:18 · Peter Stubley]

Police officers have already been called into action to escort a man away from the scene - though it's not clear why.

Robinson supporters chanted "Shame on you" as he was marched off.

[11 July 2019 09:27 · Peter Stubley]

Rumours that Katie Hopkins has a press ticket for the sentencing hearing. No sign of her in court yet though.

[11 July 2019 09:30 · Peter Stubley]

The sentencing is currently expected to take less than two hours - suggesting that we will have a decision by 11.30am.

[11 July 2019 09:35 · Peter Stubley]

Judges are about to come into court - but no sign of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon aka Tommy Robinson yet.

[11 July 2019 09:40 · Peter Stubley]

Tommy Robinson enters court. Has he got his prison bag? Yes, he has.

Today he is in jeans and a black t-shirt, though does not seem to be wearing the one he arrived in at court.

[11 July 2019 09:41 · Peter Stubley]

Judges now in court, sentencing hearing begins with Richard Furlong apologising for Robinson's late arrival.

"It's not a very good start," says Dame Victoria Sharp, one of the two judges who will decide on the sentence. 

[11 July 2019 09:45 · Peter Stubley]

Aidan Eardley, the barrister for the attorney general, lays out the possible sentence - two years imprisonment or an unlimited fine. There are no existing sentencing guidelines.