Two Men Jailed for Combined 3 ½ Years for Online Videos Threatening Tommy Robinson

Hi and welcome to this JK B'HAM Crime Report for VPN: REGIONAL NETWORKS:

Two men have been sentenced to a total of three and a half years in prison for posting online videos that threatened far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Habeeb Khan, 49, and Mohammed Akhtar, 24, were both convicted of sending threatening communications after posting videos that contained messages of death or serious harm.

Khan, who posted a video in August showing him brandishing a decommissioned AK-47, was jailed for two years and three months. The video, which was viewed over 1.4 million times, included threats directed at members of a far-right group associated with Robinson. Investigating officers traced the video to Khan’s home, where they found further evidence confirming his involvement.

Akhtar, who posted an image of an ornamental sword online with threatening words, received a 15-month sentence. The sword was later seized from his home during the investigation.

Both men’s actions were part of a broader wave of online threats linked to the summer disorder, with ongoing investigations resulting in multiple arrests across the West Midlands and nationwide.

ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing

As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:

ACCESS TO THE LAW: Threats and Sentencing

In this case, the individuals were convicted under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988, which makes it an offence to send a communication that is indecent, offensive, or threatening with the intent to cause distress or anxiety. The maximum penalty for sending such a communication is up to two years in prison.

The law also covers threats of violence, and sending a message that threatens death or serious harm, particularly when coupled with the use of a weapon, can be treated as an aggravating factor, increasing the severity of the sentence. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019  further enhances penalties for crimes involving weapons, including decommissioned firearms used to intimidate or threaten others.

In these cases, both Khan and Akhtar were sentenced for their actions, which were deemed serious enough to warrant significant custodial sentences. Courts take threats of violence seriously, especially when they involve the display of weapons or cause fear in the community. The sentences reflect the judicial system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable for online threats, which can have far-reaching consequences for public safety.

This case reinforces that online threats are not taken lightly, and individuals can face significant legal consequences for posting harmful or intimidating content. The sentences handed down in these cases send a clear message that threatening behaviour, both online and offline, will be met with firm legal action.

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.

Jason King

Birmingham City-Desk

Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews

Jasonkingnews@gmail.com