Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, is scheduled to stand trial next year after facing charges for allegedly entering a restricted zone at Dover port and confronting arriving migrant boats. The 37-year-old appeared via video link from HMP Winchester at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Thomas pleaded not guilty to charges including entering a restricted harbor area at Western Jet Foil, a holding facility for small boat migrants, without lawful authority on March 31. He also denies five other charges. These include using threatening or abusive words or behavior to cause distress on April 1, trespassing on Dover Western Docks and the Dunkirk Jetty on April 6 to film and shout at arriving vessels, and using racially abusive words or behavior to cause harassment or distress.
A previous guilty plea to entering a restricted zone on March 31 was vacated after it was suggested Thomas may have received incorrect legal advice. He re-entered a not guilty plea to this charge. Court documents indicate he also pleaded not guilty to entering or remaining in Dover Docks without lawful business or permission on April 1 and April 6.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring stated that Thomas's not guilty pleas necessitate a trial, which is set to take place at the same court from June 1 to June 3 of next year. A further case management hearing is scheduled for November 18.
Thomas remains in custody at HMP Winchester. In September, he was denied bail after pleading not guilty to criminal damage allegations, which involve claims he used a knife to slash a migrant dinghy crossing the English Channel. He also pleaded not guilty to failing to disclose his phone's PIN to the police.
Prosecutor Kevin Lucie outlined the criminal damage allegation, stating Thomas allegedly used a knife to slash a drifting boat with a crew member still on board and the vessel losing air. The court heard that Thomas instructed his own boat to steer towards the dinghy before arming himself with a knife. Rescue crews and a French individual were reportedly approaching the dinghy at the time. After slashing the boat, Thomas was allegedly heard saying, "This is what needs to happen to everyone in these boats. Right, you're on English territory. This is England, this is not France anymore. Get off the boat, you have time to get off the boat. This is not France. Take them back."
Thomas had reportedly sailed out to sea as a boat carrying 51 migrants was attempting to cross the Channel. The group was later brought ashore in Dover by the coast guard after 38 hours at sea.