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Three convicted after fight at baby's Maidstone inquest

Three members of a family have been convicted of causing an affray at the inquest of a one-year old baby.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court had heard how a "fast, frightening" punch-up erupted at the hearing at Maidstone into the mystery death of the child.

Police swarm the Archbishops Palace in Maidstone
Police swarm the Archbishops Palace in Maidstone

Chairs and punches were thrown at Archbishop's Palace in November and a Coroner and usher were shoved aside in the melee.

Now the baby's father Tommy Robinson, grandfather James Robinson and aunt Abbey Pert, formerly known as Robinson, have been found guilty of affray.

Joe Elkington-Rose, 24, who had been dating the baby's mother at the time was cleared of affray but found guilty of threatening behaviour.

A fourth man, Shane Ince, 33, of Wayfield Road, Chatham, was cleared of affray.

The four will be sentenced next month for the "deeply unpleasant incident" after Judge Julian Smith ordered the preparation of probation reports and they were all granted bail.

Tommy Robinson
Tommy Robinson
James Robinson
James Robinson

The fracas began when Elkington-Rose was reluctant to give evidence after claiming he had received threats.

As assistant coroner Ian Wade QC - who quit the post the following day but said this decision had nothing to do with the incident - went to speak with him to try to persuade him to answer questions at the inquest into the death of Jimmy Robinson, chairs and punches were thrown.

Tommy Robinson, 23, of Connaught Road, Chatham; James Robinson, 51, of North Dane Way, Chatham; Joe Elkington-Rose, 24, of St Paul's Close, Strood; Shane Ince, 33, of Wayfield Road, Chatham; and Abbey Pert (formerly Robinson), 30, of Pretoria Road, Gillingham had all denied affray.

The inquest had been looking into the circumstances surrounding the death Jimmy Robinson, who had died five days before his second birthday in June 2017.

Prosecutor Patricia May said a police investigation into the death had resulted in "no arrests or charges of any individual and the cause of death could not be ascertained."

Shane Ince
Shane Ince

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