The injunction was made against three individuals – the protest’s main organisers Shakeel Afsar Online Cigarettes Store USA and Amir Ahmed, and parent Rosina Afsar, as well as “persons unknown”.
Christian campaigner John Allman from Okehampton, Devon, had also opposed the legal bid, claiming it limited public protest.
Head teacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson said she was “happy” after the ruling, telling reporters: “Newport Cigarettes Shop We will carry on doing what we do.”
The Department for Education and the city council also welcomed the judge’s decision.Headteacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson had previously described the demonstrations as “awful”, “toxic and nasty”, and has spoken of receiving threats as a result of the gatherings.
Immediately after the ruling, protester Shakeel Afsar branded the court “one-sided”, pointing out that the judge, the council’s barrister and key witnesses had been “white”, compared with the “diverse” protest supporters.
Speaking at a press conference, he vowed that protests – outside the exclusion zone – would be continuing Cheap Newport 100s cigarettes but was “bitterly disappointed” with the case’s outcome.