A former extremist, known for his disturbing glee following the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in 2013, has been jailed again after breaking the terms of his release.
Royal Barnes, 34, was arrested after defying the conditions set for his release in 2023, including committing fraud and fleeing from police.
Background to Barnes’ Disturbing Past and Actions
In 2014, Barnes was convicted for his role in the aftermath of Rigby’s murder, where he was filmed laughing as he drove past the site in Woolwich, east London.
The soldier, aged 25, was brutally killed by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale with knives and a cleaver.
Barnes, who was a friend of Adebowale, celebrated the attack and made vile comments about the victim’s death, calling it “absolutely brilliant.”
Barnes was a known member of the ‘Muslim Patrol,’ a group that sought to enforce radical Sharia law in London, and his actions included harassing and threatening the public for behaviors they deemed un-Islamic.
He had previously been jailed for inciting terrorism and breaching counter-terrorism regulations.
A Fresh Wave of Offenses and Police Chase
In 2023, only days after his release, Barnes was seen driving a hire BMW without notifying the authorities of his change in vehicle, a direct violation of his terrorism-related notification requirements.
When police attempted to arrest him, Barnes fled the scene, abandoning a phone that was later found to have been used to commit fraud.
Investigators discovered he had fraudulently obtained someone’s bank details to order food online.
At a recent court hearing at the Old Bailey, Judge Angela Rafferty stated that Barnes had shown “anti-authoritarian views” and a complete “disregard for the officers working with you.”
She emphasized that his behavior had been both repetitive and persistent, causing significant concern about his ongoing risk.
Barnes’ History of Radicalism and Disrespect
Barnes’ radical views were evident long before his involvement in Rigby’s murder.
In 2012, he joined Anjem Choudary’s al-Muhajiroun group and became involved in violent demonstrations and extremist activities.
Alongside his wife, Rebekah Dawson, Barnes was vocal about the enforcement of Sharia law in the UK, even posting on social media offering his wife’s car to anyone who killed a British soldier.
Throughout their disturbing videos and online posts, Barnes and Dawson reveled in the idea of British soldiers’ deaths, with Barnes openly mocking Rigby’s murder.
His actions and inflammatory statements were part of a broader campaign to incite hatred and promote violence in the name of radical Islam.
The Court’s Ruling and Barnes’ Continued Threat
In court, Barnes’ defense argued that his traumatic childhood and psychological challenges should be considered in determining his sentence.
His lawyer, Jacob Bindman, suggested that Barnes had shown improvement during his time in prison and expressed a desire to change.
However, the court found that his repeated offenses and lack of compliance with terrorism-related regulations posed a clear danger to the public.
Barnes was sentenced to four and a half years for breaching the Counter-Terrorism Act and an additional 12 months for fraud, with the sentences running consecutively.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses and their potential to continue spreading extremist views.
The Impact of Barnes’ Actions on the Public and Authorities
Barnes’ history of disturbing behavior and his recent violations have left a lasting impact on both the public and law enforcement.
Despite his legal battles and time spent in prison, Barnes has repeatedly shown his disregard for societal norms and laws designed to protect the public from radical extremists.
His case underscores the complexities involved in managing individuals with extremist ideologies, especially when they continue to challenge the terms of their release and engage in fraudulent activities.