Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing journalists

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 19:44 · Archive

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two journalists from the Daily Mail and MailOnline.

Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence at Southwark Crown Court. The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was convicted of harassing Andrew Young, an investigative reporter, and Jacob Dirnhuber, an editor at the Daily Mail and MailOnline. The jury reached its verdict by a majority of 10 to two after 11 hours and 25 minutes of deliberation.

The charges related to a series of social media posts, direct messages and an alleged telephone call between 5 and 7 August 2024. Robinson had targeted the journalists after the Daily Mail and MailOnline published stories about his whereabouts while he was holidaying in Cyprus. He sent messages to Dirnhuber including 'I'll be knocking at your door' and 'Let your bosses know I'm coming to all of your houses.' The prosecution said Robinson used 'bully-boy, intimidatory tactics' to frighten the journalists, forcing them to employ security or leave their homes.

Robinson denied trying to intimidate the journalists, arguing instead that he wanted to put 'pressure' on them. The court heard that Robinson hired private investigators to find the home addresses of his victims and the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail, Ted Verity, with photographs of one journalist outside his home and cropped images of the other journalist's family posted online by Robinson.

Robinson has been granted bail ahead of sentencing on 16 December.

How it is being reported

• Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing journalists using 'bully-boy tactics'The far-right activist was found guilty of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence on Thursday.Daily Record · 28 Oct, 19:05
• Far-right agitator Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing journalistsFAR-RIGHT agitator Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two MailOnline journalists.The National · 28 Oct, 14:44

In this story: Tommy Robinson · Andrew Young · Jacob Dirnhuber · Daily Mail · MailOnline · Southwark Crown Court

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