Posted on 10/14/2025 8:58:54 AM PDT by RandFan
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson was unlawfully stopped driving a Bentley at the entrance to the Channel Tunnel, and counter-terrorism officers made a disproportionate use of their powers, his lawyer has told a court.
The 42-year-old, who was charged under his real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is standing trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court for refusing to give the Pin for his mobile phone to officers during the stop. He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Jo Morris said that while the stop may not have been "perfect", that does not mean it was unlawful.
Judgement in the trial has been delayed until 4 November following closing arguments.
If found guilty, Mr Lennon could be jailed for up to three months and/or receive a £2,500 fine.
He was stopped by police on 28 July, 2024, using their counter-terrorism powers as he prepared to enter the Channel Tunnel while driving a silver Bentley Bentayga.
Officers from Kent Police said they did so partly because he was driving someone else's car and had not pre-booked his ticket.
They said they became more suspicious when Mr Lennon would not make eye contact with them and said he was driving all the way to Benidorm. When asked for the Pin to his phone he refused.
A person who is detained under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act is legally obliged to provide the password or Pin for electronic devices.
In his closing submissions to the judge on Tuesday, Mr Lennon's barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said: "The question for you. Is this a lawful stop? If it is not, you cannot convict Mr Lennon."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Although notice no jury trial it's a judge. Classic lawfare.
Didn’t the beebs mean ‘uber ultra far right extremist’? The UK is toast!
In the European press “far right” means anyone who believes in borders and who believes that European cultures are superior to certain cultures from certain far away places.
The prosecution had nothing and Robinson’s defense obliterated the polices’ testimony, so Tommy will obviously be found guilty.
> Although notice no jury trial it’s a judge. <
There is no automatic right to a jury trial in the UK.
And interestingly enough, the same is true in the US. The 6th Amendment: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed...”
Note the “all”. No, says our Supreme Court. A jury trial is guaranteed only if the criminal penalty is more than six months imprisonment.
PIN to his phone? Why? I wouldn’t give it either on a traffic stop and more importantly no warrant, but it is jolly old England where you have no rights.
In every article the BBC always wings out the “Tommy Robinson under his real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon” yarn.
It’s like having every article about the Beatles saying “Ringo Starr under his real name Richard Starkey”
I did Nazi this coming from a POS who's busy ignoring the Musloid grooming gangs.
Jeremy Clarkson’s shirt today read:
“Stuck Farmer”
LOL!
“ Officers from Kent Police said they did so partly because he was driving someone else’s car and had not pre-booked his ticket.” They demanded the PIN to his phone also.
As much as I love history and visiting historic places, I had to cross the UK off the list long ago. I’m far too used to freedom, laws that protect me from government, and then there’s the muzzie invasion.
The people of the UK need their own July, 4th.
The hearing is in a magistrates' court, not a crown court. There have never been juries in Magistrates' courts, which deal with low-level ('Summary') offences. The distinction has held for many centuries.
“Although notice no jury trial
The hearing is in a magistrates’ court, not a crown court. There have never been juries in Magistrates’ courts, which deal with low-level (’Summary’) offences. The distinction has held for many centuries.”
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Precisely. Much like the Justice Courts in many states that hear only infractions and low grade misdemeanors. Traffic Referees are another American example.
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