Tommy Robinson supporter James Goddard pleads guilty to taunting Remainer MP Anna Soubry with shouts of ‘Nazi’ outside Parliament
A TOMMY Robinson supporter pleaded guilty today to taunting Remainer MP Anna Soubry with shouts of “Nazi” outside Parliament. James Goddard, 30, filmed himself hurling abuse and calling the Change UK MP a “Nazi, traitor and scum”. Goddard admitted one charge of intent to cause Ms Soubry harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening, abusive or […]
A TOMMY Robinson supporter pleaded guilty today to taunting Remainer MP Anna Soubry with shouts of “Nazi” outside Parliament.
James Goddard, 30, filmed himself hurling abuse and calling the Change UK MP a “Nazi, traitor and scum”.
Goddard admitted one charge of intent to cause Ms Soubry harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour between December 18 last year and January 8.
The “Yellow Vest” protester also admitted at Westminster Magistrates Court to one racially aggravated public order offence towards a police officer on January 7.
Goddard, dressed in jeans and a checkered shirt, refused earlier to give his address to the court but
District Judge Emma Arbuthnot read it aloud stating it was a matter of public record.
It is understood he has earlier wanted the judge removed from the case to have a fair trial.
Her husband James was a Conservative MP for almost 30 years and now sits in the House of Lords.
Goddard, of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, represented himself at a previous court appearance.
His trial was delayed by 36 hours after instructing a lawyer to try and remove the judge.
Goddard told his barrister in open court: “Say what I told you to say. Her husband is a Tory MP who is against No Deal Brexit”
Lady Arbuthnot said back: “As it happens I don’t know Anna Soubry, we don’t know any of the witnesses in this case, otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here.”
‘YOU ARE A TRAITOR’
The video filmed by Goddard was shown in court.
The judge said: “Before any indication it must be important to see the video.
“I haven’t seen the video or read any of the news items.”
The footage showed the far-right activist, flanked by Brexiteer Brian Phillips, 55, and others, following Ms Soubry shouting “you are a traitor” and “you are on the side of Adolf Hitler”.
It also showed them loudly screaming “liar” while the former Tory MP was giving two TV interviews at College Green in front of Parliament.
In the video Ms Soubry said: “I do object to being called a Nazi. “This is what’s happened to our country now.”
In her police statement that was read out in court today, Ms Sourby said she was left “intimated” and “shaken” afterwards.
I was very shaken by what had happened, however I couldn’t show it on camera’
Anna Sourby police statement
Prosecutor Paul Jarvis said: “She indicated at the time that she felt intimidated by [the incident].
“She describes it as being very unsettled and shaken by what had taken place.
“She found being described as a Nazi deeply offensive.
“She says ‘I was very shaken by what had happened, however I couldn’t show it on camera'”.
Mr Jarvis added: “Her chief of staff said once they were inside the building she was confused and distressed, and he had never seen her like this before.”
The court also watched footage of Goddard surrounding surrounding the 62-year-old woman and screaming “scum” at her.
Judge Arbuthnot said: “We have listened to the arguments and we accept the arguments of the crown and defence and that doesn’t fall into the most serious category.
“Bearing in mind the video is the most accurate account of what happened, subject to the impact from Ms Soubry, we say we can rule out immediate custody.”
The “Yellow Vest” supporters in the public gallery were heard grumbling when the judge identified the protesters as former EDL members, supporters of Tommy Robinson and racists.
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They shouted “fake news” to reporters, but quietened down inside the court.
Goddard also appeared with Phillips, of Erith, South East London, and admitted one count of harassment
They will both be sentenced on Monday at Westminster Magistrates Court.
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