Abeeb Khan, 49, Pleads Guilty Over AK47 Threat Video Targeting Tommy Robinson
A Birmingham man, Habeeb Khan, has admitted to making threats of death or serious harm toward Tommy Robinson and his supporters in a video that went viral during riots last summer. Khan, 49, was seen in the video holding an…
A Birmingham man, Habeeb Khan, has admitted to making threats of death or serious harm toward Tommy Robinson and his supporters in a video that went viral during riots last summer. Khan, 49, was seen in the video holding an imitation AK-47 while dressed in black, including gloves, sunglasses, and a face covering. In the footage, he issued threats toward those he labels as the English Defence League (EDL) and Tommy Robinson, its former leader.
Khan, of Hickman Road, Sparkbrook, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to sending a communication threatening death or serious harm, an offence under the Online Safety Act carrying a maximum sentence of five years. The video, posted on social media between August 4 and August 6, amassed over 1.4 million views. Khan denied a separate charge of possessing an imitation firearm, which the Crown accepted.
During the hearing, Judge Melbourne Inman KC ordered a pre-sentence report to learn more about Khan’s background, emphasizing that it did not suggest a specific sentence. Khan’s defence barrister, Sunit Sandhu, noted that he suffers from mental health issues for which he is receiving medication.
West Midlands Police stated that the video had circulated on social media amid a wave of unrest in Bordesley Green, where vehicles and a pub were attacked following false rumours of a far-right march. Khan remains in custody, awaiting sentencing on December 19.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious legal and societal consequences of using or threatening others with firearms, whether real or imitation. UK law has stringent measures governing firearms, including imitation weapons, under the Firearms Act 1968 and the more recent Online Safety Act 2023.
Under these laws, it is a criminal offence to possess, carry, or use any imitation or real firearm in a manner that causes alarm or distress to the public. Threatening behavior with imitation firearms, particularly if intended to incite violence or fear, can result in serious charges. Conviction under these offences can carry sentences of up to five years in prison, as seen in cases where threats are broadcast on social media platforms, reaching large audiences and amplifying public fear.
In cases involving online threats, courts treat the use of social media as an aggravating factor, which can lead to heightened sentencing. In this instance, the defendant’s threats, viewed over a million times, underscore the legal system’s stance that threats made through digital means are no less severe than those made in person and will be prosecuted accordingly.
The judicial system also considers the potential harm to the public and the influence such threats may have on society. Where imitation firearms are used to intimidate or cause fear, offenders face serious consequences, as the law recognizes the harm such actions inflict on communities and individuals alike.
Jason King
Birmingham City-Desk
Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews
