'Introvert' man with bag of knives who refused to take off balaclava at Walthamstow anti-racism demo faces jail

A man in a balaclava who took a bag of knives to an anti-racism demonstration in London is facing jail after admitting weapons possession.

Tom Sedbury, 28, told police he is an “introvert” as he refused to take off the balaclava, and claimed he was on his way to swap the knives for a bike.

Alongside the blades, Sedbury had in his backpack a bunch of green zip ties, a pair of scissors, a red BBQ lighter, a small, blue water pistol, a 2kg gym weight and a bike lock.

He was stopped by police at an anti-racism protest in Walthamstow , which was called when far-right demonstrators were expected in the town on August 7, prosecutors say.

Sedbury, who was wearing biker gloves and large boots along with the balaclava, refused to take off the face covering and was arrested.

In interview, he said he had been on his way to a friend’s house when he saw the protest and kept his balaclava on because he did not wish to be caught on camera because he is an introvert, Inner London crown court heard.

Prosecutors say the defendant told police he did not understand why he needed to remove his balaclava, but he admitted that all the knives were his.

Sedbury, of Main Avenue, Enfield, said to officers that he collects knives because he had a fascination with the weapons, although he decided to sell them because his interest is waning, it is said.

He told police that he had arranged to sell or exchange the knives for a bike and had no malicious intent for the use of them.

Sedbury was remanded in custody by Judge Freya Newbery for a sentencing hearing at Inner London crown court on October 2.

He has admitted five counts of possession of a knife and obstructing a police officer.

In a separate case, David Notley, 67, was sentenced to 20 months in prison after he admitted being involved in violent disorder on Whitehall on July 31.

Notley, of Buckhurst Hill, Epping Forest, was at the front of the crowd and confronted lines of police officers in a “fighting pose”, the court heard.

Notley was heard shouting “You’re not English anymore” at police officers, and joined in chanting of “You’re not English anymore” and “Who the f*** is Allah?”.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and causing racially aggravated distress, after the court heard he helped push another demonstrator into a police officer duringthe violent clashes.

Notley has already been recalled to prison on a 20-year prison sentence which was handed down in 2010, after he was involved in smuggling £400,000 of cocaine from Nicaragua in plant pots to the UK.

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