Tommy Robinson Loses Appeal: What This Means for Contempt of Court Sentences and the Criminal Defence Process

Yaxley-Lennon Loses Appeal over Contempt of Court Sentence.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as “Tommy Robinson”, has lost his appeal against an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court, highlighting the serious implications of breaching court orders and the narrow path to successfully appealing such sentences.

The Court of Appeal dismissed Robinson’s challenge last week, rejecting arguments from his legal team that his time in solitary confinement at HMP Woodhill had become detrimental to his mental health and therefore warranted a reduced sentence.

Why Was Tommy Robinson Jailed?

Robinson was imprisoned in October 2024 after breaching a court order that had been issued following a libel ruling against him. He had falsely accused a Syrian refugee teenager of violent behaviour, claims the High Court had already ruled were defamatory.

Despite the legal consequences, Robinson continued to repeat the allegations – including at a public rally – in direct defiance of the injunction.

He later admitted to 10 breaches of the order, leading to his 18-month sentence for contempt of court – which is a  serious offence that can attract immediate custody.

The Appeal: Mental Health and Prison Conditions

In his appeal, Robinson’s defence team argued that his segregation from other inmates had made his prison experience harsher than anticipated. He is currently held on a closed wing for his own safety and claimed restricted access to television, phone calls, and reading materials.

From a criminal defence perspective, these kinds of arguments are not uncommon.

Defence solicitors will often seek to highlight disproportionate or unexpected hardship in custody as part of the appeal strategy. However, the threshold is high. The sentencing must be shown to have become manifestly excessive due to unforeseen and unreasonable prison conditions — not merely inconvenient or unpleasant.

The Court of Appeal, led by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, found no such grounds. The panel concluded that Robinson’s conditions were not significantly worse than those expected at the time of sentencing and that there was no reasonable basis to reduce the term.

What Can We Learn About the Appeal Process?

This case serves as a key example of how criminal appeals work in practice.  Also where they can fall short. To appeal a sentence in England and Wales, a defendant must demonstrate either a legal error in sentencing, or that the sentence is manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.

When it comes to contempt of court, the judiciary treats breaches of orders, particularly those involving ongoing public statements, with the utmost seriousness.

Contempt undermines the rule of law, and the courts are consistently clear in ensuring that deliberate defiance of legal orders is met with firm consequences.

In this instance, Robinson’s original sentence was found to be appropriate, proportionate, and in line with legal guidance. His appeal was denied, and he will continue serving his sentence at HMP Woodhill, with release on licence expected in July 2025.

How we can Help

If you have questions or concerns about contempt of court cases or the appeals process please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0161 243 0299 or email us.