EDL leader sentenced for headbutting fellow protester

Stephen Lennon given 12-week term suspended for 12 months for common assault and judge rejects asbo application

The leader of the far-right English Defence League has been given a suspended jail sentence after he assaulted one of the group's members at a rally. Stephen Lennon, 28, from Luton, was given a 12-week term, suspended for 12 months, at Preston magistrates court.

At a day-long trial, the court heard that Lennon launched a tirade against Alan McKee, 33, calling him a "degenerate mug", at a rally in Blackburn in April. McKee later confronted Lennon, whostepped forward and headbutted him.

McKee refused to give evidence against Lennon, but the court heard from two police officers who said they clearly saw the incident.

An attempt to prevent Lennon from organising or attending rallies outside Bedfordshire was rejected by the district judge Peter Ward at the sentencing hearing. The CPS and Lancashire constabulary jointly applied for an anti-social behaviour order against Lennon that would have effectively prevented him from involvement in the EDL. But Lennon's legal representatives said an asbo would be "disproportionate" and claimed the police were "desperate to stop him being involved with the EDL at all costs".

Outside the court, Lennon said: "This was an attempt to silence me and take away my democratic rights. I respect the judge for this decision. If the asbo had been imposed, it would have meant me going to jail. I would have broken it and broken it."

Lennon was warned he would be brought back before the courts if he committed another offence within 12 months. He will be required to perform 150 hours of unpaid work for the common assault conviction and pay £200 costs.

Thirteen arrests were made at the Blackburn rally, which cost £500,000 to police. The court heard that Lennon had been in charge of or assisted in the control of 70 such demonstrations nationwide.

Guardian

EDL founder in court after far-right rally clashes

The founder of the English Defence League (EDL) will appear in court today accused of common assault.

Stephen Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was arrested after a rally of the far-right group in Blackburn, Lancashire, on April 2.

The demonstration saw minor skirmishes among the 2,000 members of the group who had gathered in the centre of the town. Police kept EDL supporters about 150 metres apart from a counter-protest by around 500 anti-fascists.

Lennon, 28, of Layham Drive, Luton, will appear on bail at Blackburn Magistrates Court.

Evening Standard

EDL leader Stephen Lennon faces Blackburn assault charge

The founder of the English Defence League (EDL) has been charged with assault following an altercation at a rally in Lancashire.

Stephen Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was arrested in connection with a brawl at the EDL demonstration in Blackburn on 2 April.

On Wednesday, he was charged with one count of common assault. Mr Lennon, 28, of Layham Drive, Luton, is due to appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on 24 June.

BBC

Thanks to Abu and Gregg for the heads-up

Five in court after Blackburn EDL rally

EDL thugs David Monks, Lisa Swales and Patrick Doyle

An English Defence League supporter attacked a police horse, punching it eight times during last month’s demonstration in Blackburn.

Robert Gavin Tromans was one of five people to appear at the town’s magistrate court on Friday in connection with disorder during the rally. Tromans, 29, of Beverley Road, West Bromwich, attacked the horse as police formed a mounted cordon to control a crowd on Northgate. He pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a warning a custodial sentence could not be ruled out.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Tromans, a former soldier, was a supporter of the EDL but not a member and had attended the rally with an organised coach party.

“His intention was to get back to his coach and not to cause any trouble,” said Mr Church-Taylor.

Also appearing in court was David Monks, 34, of Haydock Street, Bolton, who pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour. He was made subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am for 91 days. The court heard a man attending the rally in Blackburn was punched unconscious by fellow supporters after heckling one of the speakers. Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said CCTV of the incident showed Monks throwing a punch but it did not show whether it connected.

“The other man was in fact punched unconscious but not necessarily by this defendant,” said Miss Allan.

Lisa Swales, 27, of Eastfield Gardens, Bradford, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during the rally. She suddenly lunged forward and grabbed his testicles, the court heard. She was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months with a condition she attends the stop binge drinking programme.

Susan Bowden, defending, said Swales had attended the demonstration with a group of friends but wasn’t involved with the EDL.

Thomas James Ferguson pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour after being ordered to leave the rally. He was drunk, became abusive and swung a punch at an officer before he was arrested. Ferguson, 22, of Cherry Tree Guest House, Islington, Blackburn, also pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and two offences of failing to answer bail. He was jailed for 28 days.

Patrick Joseph Doyle, 48, of Cobourg Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty. He had caught the officer on the temple and knocked his helmet off, the magistrates were told.

Lancashire Telegraph

Thanks to Abu for the heads-up

Anti-Allah outburst earns EDL supporter £200 fine after protest in Leicester

A man has been fined for making offensive comments about Allah during the English Defence League protest in Leicester. Lee Whitby was found guilty of using racially aggravated abusive words during the protest in the city centre on Saturday, October 9.

During a trial at Leicester Magistrates' Court yesterday, the 27-year-old pleaded not guilty to chanting "threatening, abusive or insulting" words that were likely to cause "harassment, alarm or distress."

Although he admitted making comments, Whitby said he did not believe they would have been heard by anyone other than police officers or fellow EDL supporters. However, magistrate Rick Moore ruled that officers were likely to have been alarmed by the defendant's words.

Whitby, of Holley Place, Stoke-on-Trent, said he was an EDL supporter and had travelled by train to Leicester on the day of the protest with about 30 people from Stoke and Crewe. He also admitted being part of previous EDL protests in Newcastle, Dudley, Stoke, Bolton and Bradford.

The defendant told the court he was leaving the protest site in Humberstone Gate East and was being ushered towards the train station when he uttered the offensive chant.

Whitby, who chose to represent himself, said: "I went to an EDL demo and was in an area which was isolated away from everyone else. The only people that would have heard were the EDL. I was not aiming it at anyone. No-one around would find it offensive. Otherwise, I wouldn't have said it. I was just voicing my opinion at an EDL meeting with just EDL people around."

Alexandra Blossom, prosecuting, said the comments made were bound to cause harassment, alarm or distress because of Leicester's multicultural society and the fact the words were said in the city centre.

She said: "A number of people present that day were likely to be offended. It was a high-profile event and members of the public would have been in the city on a Saturday. The remarks are even offensive to police. A clear message needs to be sent out about using such behaviour in a multicultural city."

The court heard Whitby had two previous convictions for common assault.

Mr Moore said: "It is a fact you were with others chanting and police were within hearing distance but there is no evidence of non-police officers within hearing distance. It is likely that a police officer or officers hearing the words would be likely to be alarmed and for that reason we find you guilty of this offence."

Whitby was fined £200 and ordered to pay a further £200 in costs, as well as a £15 victim surcharge.

Leicester Mercury

Thanks to NewsHound for the heads-up.

Asian men and BNP candidate Bob Bailey clash in Barking

A fight broke out between a British National Party parliamentary candidate and some Asian men as party members were out campaigning in east London.

Some men earlier swore at leader Nick Griffin and threw fruit at him and he was taken away from the scene.

The candidate for Romford, Bob Bailey, was filmed shouting out to men in Ripple Road when one of them swore and spat at him and Mr Bailey punched him. Police were called after 1500 BST to the fight between the two groups.

At the time Metropolitan Police said they were called to the incident but no-one had been arrested at the scene. Later however, police said an 18-year-old man attended Barking police station and alleged common assault against another man. The Barking Community Safety Unit is to look into the matter.

When asked about the fight Mr Griffin told BBC London the fight was the result of a "campaign of hatred and dehumanisation against any group of people, in this case us".

He said: "I think people have to realise that the people have spoken, this is a democratic vote and everyone has to go along with that, whether its us, our opponents or people on the streets, and if there are a few crazies or thugs on the streets I'm sure the police will deal with them quite quickly. The more people in the media talk this up as an issue, the more silly kids on the streets will be inclined to take the law into their hands."

Candidates for Romford are: Independent: Philip Hyde; Conservative: Andrew Rosindell; Independent: David Sturman; English Democrats: Peter Thorogood; Labour: Rachel Voller; British National Party: Robert Bailey; UK Independence Party: Gerard Batten; Liberal Democrat: Helen Duffett; Green: Gary Haines.

BBC

Anger as horror attack thugs walk free

The family of a teenage girl left with a pendent embedded in her face are furious her teenage attackers have escaped jail. The two girls and a boy, who cannot be named because they are all 16, were given referral orders or community sentences by magistrates.

The uncle of the victim, who has asked not to be named, said: "This was an horrific attack so it is disappointing that the perpetrators have escaped custodial sentences. It sends out the wrong message."

The victim had gone to a children's playground in Rochdale's Springfield park in June with her three young sisters, aged five to 11, and her sister-in-law, who was with her 18-month-old baby. They were confronted by one of the 16-year-old girls and Kirsty Leigh Hood, 19. The victim was subjected to verbal abuse, including chants of 'BNP'. The 16-year-old boy and another girl later approached the women and also became confrontational. When the boy mumbled something at the victim she told him to speak English, to which he responded: "I'm more British than you."

The boy then told one of the two girls to pull the victim's headscarf off, but she punched her in the face with such force that the pendant from her bracelet became embedded beneath the 17-year-old student's eye. She was taken to Rochdale Infirmary where the pendant was removed.

Hood, 19, of Yew Dale Gardens, Marland, was fined last month after admitting a public order offence. The girl who threw the punch had earlier pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and was given a 10-month referral order by District Judge Paul Richardson at Rochdale magistrates after he heard the attack was her first offence. She will not have to pay costs or compensation as she is jobless and has no parental support.

Mr Richardson said: "It was the conclusion of a very ugly incident in a public park. Mercifully, the injury the victim sustained was not of a permanent nature, but for the victim was still a very alarming incident."

The 16 -year-old boy, who has 30 previous convictions for a catalogue of offences, admitted common assault at an earlier hearing and was given a nine month supervision order and placed under a curfew for two months. The second 16-year-old girl, who has 13 previous convictions and was involved in verbally abusing the victim alongside Hood, pleaded guilty to a public order offence earlier and was given a nine-month supervision order. Both their parents must pay £200 costs.

Manchester Evening News

BNP mother-of-three admits assault

BNP neighbour from hell, Helen Forster

A mother-of-three who has previously claimed to be a member of the British National Party (BNP) has pleaded guilty to common assault and perverting the course of justice. Helen Forster (see here and here for more info), of Park Place, Gravesend, admitted the charges at Maidstone Crown Court on July 27.

The 32-year-old, who has previously stated she has produced leaflets for the party, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on September 7.

The two charges relate to an incident in Fort Gardens, Gravesend, on May 23. In May, Forster was given a 10-month suspended sentence at Maidstone Crown Court after being convicted of intimidation. In this case, the court had heard she had encouraged a group of children to throw eggs and fire an airgun at the home of her neighbour Meherjan Miah, who lives there with her young children.

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