Protester James Goddard holds up sign as he is convicted of assaulting photographer

Protester James Goddard has been convicted of assaulting a photographer during a demonstration in Manchester. 

The self-styled “yellow vest” protester was filmed at the rally in February repeatedly trying to grab at a camera belonging to Joel Goodman, who was working for the Manchester Evening News.

On Tuesday, the 29-year-old, who was representing himself, was fined £300 for the conviction, and a further £500 for prosecution costs, £50 in compensation to Mr Goodman and a £30 victim impact surcharge.

He was also banned from approaching Mr Goodman for two years as a restraining order was brought into effect.

The judge later dismissed a further public order offence against the defendant over an interaction with Mr Goodman, in which he said he would “take his head off his shoulders”.

The threat of violence from the comments was not “immediate”, the judge explained.

Goddard said he regretted making the comment but maintained that it was a “common English idiom”.

Proceedings were interrupted on Tuesday after Goddard raised a piece of paper bearing an offensive message as Mr Goodman gave evidence.

The paper read: “P**** coward leftist soy boy.”

Goddard claimed it was directed at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Police officers were then called into the room to confiscate the paper amid jibes from Goddard’s supporters.

Three supporters were asked to leave.

Goddard is a central figure in what some have dubbed the UK’s “yellow vest” movement, which has seen right-wing activists cause disruption in London.

(c) Sky News 2019: Protester James Goddard holds up sign as he is convicted of assaulting photographer