BEARDED Tommy Robinson branded himself a "ginger cowardly convert" as he was freed from prison today after just two months.

The usually clean-shaven Far-Right leader emerged from Belmarsh in South East London looking unrecognisable with a copper beard and longer hair.

12 Tommy Robinson has been released from prison Credit: @RealDannyTommo/twitter

12 Robinson tucked into a McDonald's for his first meal as a free man Credit: @ezralevant

12 The EDL founder sported a more clean-shaven look when he was jailed in July (pictured) Credit: EPA

Robinson was caged for nine months - reduced to 19 weeks- in July for contempt of court after live-streaming defendants outside a sex-grooming trial.

And he immediately began ranting about his sentence when he was released - claiming it was an "embarrassment against the government".

But he joked about his new look and said the "first stop" for him was the hairdresser, adding: "I know - have fun with your memes!"

He was later snapped smiling in the chair at a barber shop getting a trim.



'CAGED ANIMAL'

Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - spent 66 days inside Category A prison Belmarsh, which has been home to Britain's most grisly inmates including Soham killer Ian Huntley.

The motormouth extremist previously complained he was being held like a "caged animal" at the Thamesmead nick.

And speaking today, he continued to maintain his innocence, saying: "Let's pretend I did it, which I didn't, in the judge's word it was 'unintentional'.

"Something that was unintentional, which had zero effect on a trial, resulted in a man put in prison for two months in solitary confinement.

"I walked in and out without seeing another prisoner."

He was later pictured tucking into a McDonald's burger for his first meal as a newly-freed man.

ROBINSON CAGED

The Old Bailey found the 36-year-old jeopardised a grooming trial by live-streaming men accused of the sexual exploitation of young girls on Facebook, in breach of a reporting ban, outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.

He was jailed for six months for the Leeds contempt, plus three months for an earlier contempt committed at Canterbury Crown Court in 2017.

The extremist had already served ten weeks in prison so was due to be released on licence halfway through his jail term.

CONTEMPT DEFINED: What is contempt of court and why can you be jailed for it? In the UK, a person can be found in contempt of court if they wilfully defy a court order. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the main types of the offence can be physically interfering in a trial, threatening witnesses or obstructing justice. Showing disrespect to a judge can also be contempt of the court. If someone is in contempt of the Magistrates' Court, a person can be imprisoned for one month or face a fine of up to £2,500. But for those in contempt of a crown court, they can be jailed for up to two years or face a fine. In the UK, media can only report the facts of a case. In the US, contempt of court is generally not considered to be a criminal offence. Due to the First Amendment, the media outlet cannot be found in contempt of court.

As he was jailed in July, Robinson reportedly flashed a V for Victory sign to the public gallery and winked as the judge's decision was handed down.

Sentencing, Dame Victoria Sharp scolded him for having "lied about a number of matters".

His immediate incarceration sparked violent protests as supporters hurled smoke bombs and attacked a BBC camera crew.

Hundreds of far-right supporters marched through London's streets towards the Houses of Parliament as cops took tourists to safety.

Some set EU flags on fire and hurled bottles at police as ugly scenes also erupted outside the Old Bailey.

Clashing with police, protesters were heard chanting "paedo protectors" and "you're not English anymore".

PRISON MOAN

During his time at Belmarsh, Robinson was visited by hate-figure Kate Hopkins and former Brexit Party leader Catherine Blaiklock, who was forced to resign due to racist tweets.

Blaiklock wrote a sweeping blog entry for the Salisbury Review whinging the "political prisoner No 1" was being held on a "vast isolation block".

Former lags on the wing include hate preachers Abu Hamza and Anjem Choudary and MP Jo Cox's murderer Thomas Mair.

She said: "He was pale, sporting a beard and a new haircut with a flouncy quiff that made him look like an unassuming English teacher.

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"Close up it was his eyes that I noticed. The girl with me said that they were ‘prison eyes’; the eyes of the worried, the isolated, the fearful. He never laughed and rarely smiled."

Robinson, who previously begged US president Donald Trump for asylum, moaned he was only allowed out of his jail cell for two hours a day with at least one guard stationed outside for his protection.

Before he was jailed, he stood as an independent MEP candidate in the North West but suffered a humiliating defeat with just 2.2 per cent of the vote.

12 The extremist joked he was off to the hairdressers after emerging with a beard Credit: @RealDannyTommo/twitter

12 He was in Belmarsh for nine weeks Credit: @RealDannyTommo/twitter

12 The extremist was later pictured getting a trim by a barber Credit: @ezralevant

12 Robinson wore a 'convicted of journalism' t-shirt when he was jailed at the Old Bailey Credit: Getty Images - Getty

12 Tommy Robinson sent a message to his followers, encouraging them to protest after he was jailed Credit: PA:Press Association

12 A protester is detained by police after scuffles broke out outside parliament Credit: Getty Images - Getty

12 Tommy Robinson fans were furious with the sentencing as they confronted cops outside the court Credit: London News Pictures

12 Tommy Robinson supporters set fire to an EU flag outside Parliament Credit: SWNS:South West News Service