ENGLISH DEFENCE LEAGUE'S STEPHEN YAXLEY-LENNON GUILTY OVER STREET BRAWL

Some of your more cynical right-wingers are carping about how the Norway shooting from one of their number was a gift to the left. Now while the shooting coincidentally happened on DLJ’s birthday, we would much rather return this one if that’s the case. However THIS news out of the UK is truly a gift-wrapped pleasure! Stephen Lennon, who also goes by the name of “Tommy Robinson” is the head of the English Defence League (EDL) a group of anti-Islam, pro-Israel boneheads that have been engaging in violent rallies and attacks around England over the past year. One of those on Aug 24 of last year got Lennon snatched up by police. Today he was convicted of that attack. With everyone looking at the fact that the Norway shooter might have had ties to the EDL, this news is very welcome, although we think he would have seen the same verdict whether or not the shooting happened. What we also think is the EDL is about to see a sharp decline from where they are today. Remember, our local vapid Islamophome Pamela Geller loved this group – that is until they bounced out a friend of hers when she was critical of some of them treating Jews the same way they treat Muslims. Geller held on to this notion, and actually told DLJ last year, that they were not violent. Stupid as that routine was, today’s verdict makes it official: they are.

TalkTalk

The founder of the English Defence League has been convicted of leading a street brawl with 100 football fans.

Stephen Lennon, 28, shouted “EDL till I die” and encouraged fellow Luton Town supporters when they clashed in the town with Newport County fans on August 24 last year.

At the time, Lennon was arrested by officers who told him he was being taken into custody for suspected actual bodily harm from an outstanding allegation – which was later discontinued.

But he was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and accused of leading Luton’s hooligans into a fight.

He denied the count but was convicted after a trial at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates’ Court.

Lennon, of Luton, Beds, was at the front of a large group of fans and was seen provoking opposition fans by gesturing and swearing at them.

A terrifying scene unfolded with masked fans fighting, launching bottles and other missiles including a car roof rack.

Pc Robert Field described the scene as “incredibly intimidating” to members of the public and said it was “clearly going to get out of control”. He said he recognised Lennon because of previous dealings with him and because he had tried to arrest him earlier that day over another matter.

District Judge Carolyn Mellanby told Lennon: “I am entirely satisfied you were at the front of this group of angry Luton supporters looking for trouble when you were confronted by the group of Newport supporters who were also angry and fired up looking for trouble.”

Lennon, a father of three who got married on Saturday, was sentenced to a 12-month community rehabilitation order, 150 hours of unpaid work and hit with a three-year football banning order. He was also ordered to pay £650 in costs.