Tommy Robinson has been jailed for nine months for contempt of court over a video he broadcast on social media which featured defendants in a criminal trial.
The far-right extremist , 36, was found guilty of the offence at the Old Bailey last week.
Former EDL leader Robinson looked up at the public gallery and winked as he was led to the cells through the secure dock in the centre of the courtroom, carrying a holdall.
Police officers outside of the court this afternoon have been told to put their riot helmets on as supporters pelt them with missiles, coffees and bottles.
Bottles, cans and coffee cups can be strewn on the floor after protesters launched them, amid calls by Robinson for a protest at the weekend.
After being handed a prison sentence, his Telegram account said: “Sentenced to prison for journalism. Time for protests to start, this is an absolute joke!”
It added: “Protest outside whatever prison I’m in on Saturday please.”
Supporters are now staging an impromptu 'march on Parliament' according to witnesses.
Handing him a prison sentence, Dame Victoria said: "We are in no doubt that the custody threshold is crossed in this case, in particular having regard to the common law contempt that the respondent committed.
“Nothing less than a custodial penalty would properly reflect the gravity of the conduct we have identified.”
She said that the purpose of sentencing for contempt was “punishment and deterrence of the contemnor”, adding: “The court is also concerned to demonstrate its determination to uphold the rule of law.”
There were ugly scenes as crowds of supporters gathered outside court this morning for his sentencing, with police officers being shoved and smoke bombs being let off.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, filmed defendants in the trial and broadcast it on Facebook in May last year.
The court heard how Robinson was "subjectively reckless" by breaching a reporting ban barring publication of details about the case.
Robinson previously denied encouraging violence against defendants in the grooming trial when he gave evidence during contempt of court proceedings but he was convicted last week.
This morning, he arrived late to court where hundreds of supporters had gathered to see him.
He was seen wearing a shirt that read: ‘Convicted of journalism’.
Richard Furlong, representing Robinson, had to apologise for the 36-year-old's late arrival.
One of the judges replied: "It's not a very good start."
On Tuesday, the High Court gave its reasons for finding Robinson in contempt of court, stating that he encouraged “vigilante action” against the defendants when he filmed them and broadcast the footage live on Facebook.
Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Warby found the 36-year-old was in contempt in three respects when he filmed men accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls and live-streamed the footage, in breach of a reporting ban, outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.
Giving reasons for the decision on Tuesday, Dame Victoria said that, while Robinson claimed his intention was to "denounce the media" for their behaviour towards him and others, the words he used in the video would have been understood by viewers as "an incitement" to harass the defendants.
Dame Victoria said the dangers of using the "un-moderated platforms" of social media, with its "unparalleled speed and reach", are obvious and that Robinson's conduct created a risk that the defendants would be intimidated.
The judges also found that Robinson was "quite deliberately" reporting on the case, which he had told his viewers was the subject of a reporting restriction, and rejected his evidence that he had made checks in the court as "not credible".
Dame Victoria said Robinson's right to freedom of expression "could not justify an interference with fair trial rights".
She added: "The rule of law demands that those who act in such a way as to subvert due process should be held to account, whether or not they actually threaten the fairness of the end result.
"These are essential principles which must be given weight in a democratic society."
More than 200 supporters gathered around a makeshift stage in front of a double-decker bus, chanting his name and shouting “shame, shame” at journalists.
A number of Robinson's supporters who gathered outside the court on Thursday and Friday reacted angrily after the result was announced.
Robinson broadcast the footage while the jury in the second of a series of linked grooming trials was considering its verdict.
A reporting restriction was in place which postponed the publication of any details of the case until the end of all the trials involving 29 people, in a bid to ensure all defendants received a fair trial.
Robinson, from Luton, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 13 months after being found in contempt of court on the day of the broadcast.
The video lasted an hour-and-a-half and was viewed online 250,000 times after being live-streamed on Facebook. It was eventually viewed 3.4 million times after being shared following his arrest.
He served two months in jail before being freed after the original finding of contempt was overturned by the Court of Appeal in August 2018.
But the case was then referred back to the Attorney General, who announced in March that it was in the public interest to bring fresh proceedings against Robinson.
Dame Victoria and Mr Justice Warby gave permission for the Attorney General to bring a new case against Robinson at a hearing in May.
