London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

UK is not as free as HK: Seven jailed over London 'free Tommy Robinson' protest

UK is not as free as HK: Seven jailed over London 'free Tommy Robinson' protest

A group including a man who took over a tourist bus were involved in "serious acts of violence" during a pro-Tommy Robinson demonstration in London, a court heard.

Seven men were jailed at Southwark Crown Court over the violent disorder in June 2018, which caused injuries to about 20 officers.

The "terrifying disorder wreaked by these individuals" was "inexcusable", the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Six others will be sentenced on Monday.

Prosecutor Aska Fujita told the court police had become "over-run" by disorder from those demanding the release of the ex-English Defence League (EDL) leader, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, from prison for contempt of court.


'Punched and kicked'


Chants rang out during the protest, while demonstrators could be seen on camera shouting "shame on you" at the police, adding, "you're not English any more" to the tune of a hymn.

"The police have been constantly abused, missiles were thrown at them, they have been punched, kicked and had barriers thrown at them," said Ms Fujita.

"The number of defendants does not reflect the actual occurrence of violence - police have tried incredibly hard to identify the people involved."

Detectives had to trawl through hundreds of hours of CCTV and videos to identify those involved.

"Each of the defendants were involved in serious acts of violence, including using weapons that could have caused serious injury," added Ms Fujita.

Eight people pleaded guilty to violent disorder:

Robert Sandford, 47, of Bolton Road, Hungerhill, Greater Manchester, was jailed for 14 months after he was among those to "take over" a bus full of tourists before hurling a traffic cone

Keith O'Sullivan, 40, of Holmstead Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 23 months after he threw traffic cones and a metal barrier

Danny Grealey, 43, of Ebberns Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was given an 18-month sentence after he admitted throwing a traffic cone at police

Andrew McLean, 20, of Field Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, was given an 18-month term at a young offenders institution

Kai Smith, 19, of Middleton Close, Chingford, east London, was jailed for 15 months, after being described as "at the head of a group chasing officers" into retreat. He was seen holding a stick and throwing missiles

David Anderson, 24, of Moraine Drive, Glasgow, was jailed for 14 months for throwing two bottles at police

Carl Backland, 59, of Grafton Way, Camden, north-west London, was sentenced to nine months in prison for throwing two cans at a police officer at close range after trying and failing to make his way to a counter-protest

Kate Beveridge, 35, of, Pool Foot Lane, Singleton, Lancashire, was given a 15-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service after she threw a one-litre plastic drinks bottle at police

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×