Tommy Robinson Charged With Violent Harassment Offence

Right wing activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been formally charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Wednesday that the charges relate to alleged incidents involving two male complainants, said to have taken place over a three-day period between 5 and 7 August 2024.

According to an official CPS statement, the Metropolitan Police have been authorised to charge the 42-year-old with these offences following a review of the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The case will proceed in the criminal courts, with Robinson set to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 June 2025.

The charges come at a time when Robinson remains a high-profile and polarising figure, having only recently had his sentence for an unrelated contempt of court finding reduced by the High Court. That matter, which arose from breaches of a civil court injunction, had led to an 18-month prison sentence—four months of which were subsequently cut following a judicial review earlier this week.

In line with standard legal protocol surrounding active criminal proceedings, a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service issued a formal reminder stating: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”

No plea has yet been entered in respect of the harassment charges, and as such, any reporting must remain strictly within the confines of what is lawfully publishable under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The presumption of innocence applies unless and until guilt is proven, and all further developments will be subject to live reporting restrictions.

Robinson has been subject to a series of legal battles in recent years, including civil litigation, criminal proceedings, and enforcement actions for breaches of court orders. This latest prosecution marks a significant development in his ongoing engagement with the justice system, and further details will only emerge as the case progresses through the courts in due course.

Access to the Law: Understanding the Offence of Harassment Causing Fear of Violence

As part of our ongoing commitment to legal literacy and clarity, we include the following general overview of the law referenced in this article. This section is intended purely to inform and should not be interpreted as relating specifically to any individual case currently before the courts.

The offence of harassment causing fear of violence is established under Section 4 of the 9 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This section builds upon the base offence of harassment found in Section 2, but goes further by criminalising conduct which not only amounts to harassment b tout also causes the victim to fear that violence will be used against them.

In order for the offence under Section 4 to be made out, the prosecution must prove that:

• There has been a course of conduct (i.e. behaviour occurring on at least two occasions),
• That the conduct amounts to harassment, and
• That the conduct caused the victim to fear, on at least two occasions, that violence would be used against them,
• And that the defendant knew or ought to have known that their behaviour would cause such fear.

This is an either-way offence, meaning it can be tried in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court depending on the seriousness of the allegations and other legal considerations.

Under the current UK Sentencing Guidelines, the maximum sentence on conviction in the Crown Court is 5 years’ imprisonment, while the Magistrates’ Court can impose a sentence of up to 6 months. Additional penalties may include restraining orders, fines, and community-based sentences depending on the facts of the case, the offender’s culpability, and the harm caused.

However if someone pleads not guilty to harassment causing fear of violence and is found guilty, at Crown Court then under the Sentencing Council Guidelines for Harassment (Protection from Harassment Act 1997, Section 4), the following applies:

Sentencing Guidelines (No Guilty Plea – i.e. No Mitigation for Early Plea)

The starting point and sentencing range depends on culpability and harm, which are assessed by the judge:

Category 1 – High culpability & greater harm

• Starting point: 3 years’ custody
• Range: 1 year 6 months to 4 years’ custody

Example: Sustained campaign of harassment, significant psychological impact on victims, threats of serious violence.

Category 2 – Medium culpability or lesser harm

• Starting point: 1 year’s custody
• Range: 26 weeks to 2 years’ custody

Example: Repeated conduct, some fear of violence but less lasting impact.

Category 3 – Lower culpability & lesser harm

• Starting point: 26 weeks’ custody
• Range: Community order to 1 year’s custody

Aggravating Factors (which could push the sentence higher):

• Targeting multiple victims
• Use of social media or public platform to intimidate
• Breach of existing injunctions or court orders
• Prior criminal record related to similar offences

So if convicted after trial, and placed in Category 1, he could be looking at up to 4 years, potentially more if aggravating factors are severe, especially in Crown Court.

Sentencing will also take into account any aggravating or mitigating factors. However, if a defendant pleads not guilty and is subsequently convicted at trial, they will not receive any reduction in sentence for an early guilty plea.

This information is provided by Video Production News to aid public understanding of legal terminology and procedures mentioned in our reporting.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.