Thread by @jamesdoleman

At the Royal Courts of Justice for the expected start of a libel trial involving EDL founder "Tommy Robinson," (Being heard under his original name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Proceedings due to begin at 10.30

Robinson is being sued for libel by the family of Jamal Hijazi, who was filmed being pushed to the ground and threatened with drowning at Almondbury school in Huddersfield.
Robinson made a number of remarks about the case on YouTube which led to today's trial.

Mr Robinson is representing himself in court.

Catrin Evans QC is acting for the claimant. Mr Robinson is representing himself with the help of a "McKenzie's friend."
The presiding judge is Mr Justice Nicklin.

Judge making introductory remarks.

Judge tells Robinson that as his defence is that his remarks were essentially true, the burden of proof rests with him.
Catrin Evans QC then opens for the claimaint.

Jamal, the court hears is a Syrian refugee from Homs. Arrived in the UK in October 2016.
Evans notes that Robinson is a convicted criminal who has gone bankrupt after spending £100,000 on gambling, drugs and alcohol."

Barrister says that Jamal suffered racist bullying, mainly by a group of pupils from the same year as him, one of whom, she says was a member of the EDL. He suffered a broken wrist in a incident before the one at issue,

During the second assault, Jamal, counsel says, was threatened with drowning. This was filmed by one of the attackers, ended up online and was covered in the national press.

Evans says that it was unfortunate for Jamal he "came across the defendant's radar," and he had posted videos on Facebook accusing Jamal of being the perpetrator, which are the subject of this action.

In the first video, Robinson accuses Jamal of beating up "a young English girl," as part of a gang, and had threatened another pupil with a knife.

These accusations caused "serious harm," to Jamal and his family Evans says, and are "completely untrue."

The bullying that followed Robinson's videos forced Jamal's family to leave Huddersfield. Counsel says this is a consequence of "one if his anti-Muslim rackets."
Opening ends.

First witness, Jamal Hijazi.

Jamal is 17 years old, was 15 at the time of the incident in question. He confirms the accuracy of his three written witness statements.

Mr Robinson rises to cross-examine the witness.
Begins by saying Jamal was 13 when he came to the UK, which he understands as he has a daughter of 13.

Jamal agrees he had difficulties at school and says when he reported incidents the school didn't do anything. He says that there were incidents involving another Syrian student.

Robinson asks about an allegation Jamal had his a girl with a hockey stick during a lesson, he says this couldn't have happened as boys and girls did sports lessons seperately.

The defendant now asks Jamal about an accusation he "bit," another girl at school.
Jamal says he has never seen the girl involved or heard her name.
He then shows the court text messages between himself and the girl's mother which he says, confirm the incident occured,

Robinson is now reading from the transcript of a video of him visiting the girl's mother, which he says confirms she told him about Jamal's involvement in an attack on her.

The defendant claims that the mother told him she had withdrawn her comments after receiving "threats."

Jamal says he does not know the girl.

Court takes a short break.

Mr Justice Nicklin enters and proceedings resume with Mr Robinson continuing his cross-examination of Jamal Hijiza.