Anti-migrant activist pleads guilty to slashing boat in Channel

Summarised from 11 outlets · 12 reports · Updated 12 Nov, 11:09 · Archive

Daniel Thomas, 37, known as Danny Tommo, has pleaded guilty to criminal damage after slashing a migrant dinghy with a knife in the English Channel.

Activist Daniel Thomas, 37, known as Danny Tommo, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday after slashing a migrant dinghy with a knife in the English Channel. He had previously pleaded not guilty but changed his plea when appearing via video link from prison.

A court previously heard that Thomas had taken a boat into the English Channel on 22 September and observed migrants on a dinghy being assisted by the RNLI, Border Force and the French Coastguard. Prosecutor Kevin Lucie told Basingstoke Magistrates' Court that Thomas instructed his boat be steered towards the empty rigid inflatable boat that was adrift. He then armed himself with a knife as rescue crews approached and a French coastguard boarded the vessel.

After slashing the boat with the knife, Thomas could be 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.'

The Mirror reports that the boat was heard leaking air whilst the rescue worker was onboard. Thomas was later arrested at a BP petrol station before being taken into custody.

The i Paper reports that Thomas's change of plea may have surprised his supporters, as far-right leader Tommy Robinson had urged millions of followers to donate to Thomas's legal fees on the premise that he was pleading not guilty.

The Mirror also reports that Thomas was live-streaming himself during the incident. The Independent notes that the cost of damage to the vessel was unknown to be above or below £5,000 because the boat had been taken back to France, which affects the potential sentencing. The maximum sentence for criminal damage valued at more than £5,000 is 10 years' imprisonment, while damage valued lower carries a maximum of three months' jail time and a fine.

At Thursday's hearing, Thomas reiterated his plea of not guilty to a separate charge of failing to disclose his phone PIN to police under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. According to the BBC, he will be sentenced on 18 November.

How it is being reported

• Anti-migrant activist Danny Tommo admits criminal damage of boat in ChannelThe 37-year-old changed his plea to the single charge when he appeared by video-link from prison at Portsmouth Crown Court.Evening Standard · 12 Nov, 10:59
• Daniel Thomas admits boat criminal damage in channelActivist Danny Tommo pleads guilty to criminal damage at Portsmouth Crown Court.BBC News · 12 Nov, 10:48
• Far-right activist Daniel Thomas admits criminal damage of dinghy in the ChannelThomas changes plea over slashing boat with knife after watching occupants being helped by rescue services The far-right activist Daniel Thomas has admitted criminal damage after slashing an inflatable dinghy with a knife in the Channel. The 37-year-old, who is known as Danny Tommo, changed his plea to the single charge when he appeared via video link from prison at Portsmouth crown court on Thursday. Continue reading...The Guardian · 12 Nov, 10:47
• Far-right activist Danny Tommo pleads guilty to slashing migrant dinghyThe move may come as a surprise to supporters of Daniel Thomas, who initially pleaded not guiltyThe i Paper · 12 Nov, 10:45
• Activist Danny Tommo admits criminal damage after slashing migrant boat in ChannelA court previously heard Daniel Thomas had taken a boat into the English Channel and observed the migrant occupants of a dinghy being assisted by the RNLI, Border Force and the French Coastguard Activist Danny Tommo has pleaded guilty to criminal damage after slashing a migrant boat in the…Metro · 12 Nov, 10:25
• Danny Tommo pleads guilty to slashing migrant dinghy in ChannelThe hard-right activist went viral as a result of the stunt.Daily Express · 12 Nov, 10:14
• Anti-migrant activist admits slashing boat with a knife in English ChannelAn anti-immigration activist has pleaded guilty to criminal damage after slashing a migrant boat with a knife.Sky News · 12 Nov, 10:11
• Far-right activist Danny Tommo pleads guilty to criminal damage after slashing dinghy with knife in ChannelActivist Daniel Thomas, 37, has pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court to criminal damage after he slashed a migrant boat with a knife in the English Channel .The Independent · 12 Nov, 10:08
• Danny Tommo pleads guilty after slashing migrant boat in ChannelDanny Tommo has pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court to criminal damage after he slashed a migrant boat with a knife in the English Channel. The activist, whose real name is Daniel Thomas, had previously pleaded not guilty to the incident. Thomas had been accused of slashing a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board on September 22. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say MORE TO FOLLOW... Our Standards: The GB News Editorial CharterGB News · 12 Nov, 10:07
• Daniel 'Tommo' Thomas pleads guilty to slashing migrant boat with knife in ChannelDad-of-four Thomas was live-streaming himself while aboard a boat in the English Channel - this is a breaking news storyThe Mirror · 12 Nov, 10:06
• Daniel 'Tommo' Thomas pleads guilty to slashing migrant boat with knife in ChannelDad-of-four Thomas was live-streaming himself while aboard a boat in the English Channel - this is a breaking news storyThe Mirror · 12 Nov, 10:06
• 'Danny Tommo' pleads guilty to criminal damage after slashing migrant boat with knife in English ChannelActivist Daniel Thomas, 37, has pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court to criminal damage after he slashed a migrant boat with a knife in the English Channel.Daily Mail · 12 Nov, 10:03

In this story: Daniel Thomas · Kevin Lucie · Tommy Robinson · Portsmouth Crown Court · RNLI · Border Force · French Coastguard · English Channel

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log