Tommy Robinson Found Guilty of Harassing Journalists

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been convicted of harassing two Daily Mail journalists. A jury found the 43-year-old guilty of using social media and 'bully-boy, intimidatory tactics' to threaten reporters who had exposed him for allegedly stoking race riots in the UK from Cyprus in August 2024.

Prosecutors stated that Robinson, a political activist and former leader of the English Defence League, sent photographers to the journalists' addresses and shared images of their homes with millions of social media followers. The journalists, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, testified that they feared for their safety after Robinson posted a series of messages on the social media platform X. The court heard Robinson sent Mr. Dirnhuber a message stating, 'I'll be knocking on your door,' and upon seeing a photo of Mr. Dirnhuber outside his home, wrote, 'Got ya.' Mr. Young reported that Robinson called him and said, 'I'm coming to get you.'

Robinson denied two charges of harassment causing fear of violence, arguing that the journalists would have understood his statements not to be literal threats of physical violence. However, the jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty. He showed little reaction as the verdicts were delivered after 11 hours and 25 minutes of deliberation.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime and counter terrorism division, stated that Robinson had 'weaponised social media and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence.' Ferguson added, 'Nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do. Journalists play an important role in a democratic society and should be able to carry out their professional duties without being subjected to harassment.'

Prosecutor Ben Holt told the jury that Robinson targeted the journalists after The Mail published a front-page story in August 2024 with the headline 'Stoking race riots from his sunbed,' which detailed unrest in the UK sparked by the murder of three girls in Southport. Mr. Holt argued that Robinson retaliated instead of using the independent press regulator, Ipso, saying, 'You have come for me, I am going to come for you.'

Mr. Dirnhuber reported feeling 'scared to go to my own house' due to Robinson's social media posts, and Mr. Young stated he felt his family was under threat. Mr. Dirnhuber also expressed concern about being 'intercepted' by a Robinson supporter and sought to bolster his home security. Mr. Young described Robinson's tone as 'increasingly menacing' during a phone call, during which Robinson allegedly stated he was researching his family and threatened to come to Mr. Young's house and that he would 'have to move house.' Another journalist, George Odling, stated that he, his wife, and young child had to leave their home due to fears of being followed by Robinson's supporters.

Robinson admitted he 'panicked' when posting pictures of the Mail journalists and that he hired private investigators to photograph the journalists' home addresses to 'put pressure on them.' He denied the intention was to intimidate, stating his aim was to 'remove the fear and remove the immediate danger to my family.' He claimed he wanted to question the journalists on camera but not to harm their families.

Robinson, who has previous convictions for violence, fraud, and contempt of court, was granted bail. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16. The defendant wore a navy suit with American flags on the back of his waistcoat during the proceedings. Supporters in the public gallery reacted with sighs of disappointment upon hearing the verdicts.