Tommy Robinson faces trial over alleged journalist harassment

Summarised from 3 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 19 Oct, 13:43 · Archive

Political activist Tommy Robinson has arrived at Southwark Crown Court to face trial for allegedly harassing two MailOnline journalists.

Tommy Robinson, 43, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to face trial for two counts of harassment causing fear of violence. He is accused of harassing MailOnline reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber through X posts, direct messages and an alleged telephone call between August 5 and 7 2024. Robinson denies the charges, which he entered not guilty pleas to in July last year.

The prosecution alleges Robinson targeted the journalists after they reported on his whereabouts during a holiday in Cyprus. Investigative journalist Young was sent to Cyprus with a photographer to cover the story, with an article published about Robinson both in print and online. Prosecutor Ben Holt told jurors Robinson used 'bully-boy, intimidatory tactics' to frighten the journalists after what he perceived as an 'unnecessary intrusion' into his holiday. According to the prosecution, Robinson allegedly told Young in a telephone call: 'I'm coming to get you', and sent Dirnhuber a direct message saying: 'I'll be knocking at your door.'

The court heard that Robinson circulated images of the journalists' homes on social media to millions of followers, and that his supporters became involved in threatening them. Mr Holt told jurors the journalists were scared and in some cases forced to leave their homes or employ security. Robinson's defence is that his family had been put in danger by the actions of the Daily Mail. The trial is expected to last five days.

How it is being reported

• Tommy Robinson used ‘bully-boy tactics’ to threaten journalists, jury toldCourt hears activist allegedly told reporters ‘I’m coming to get you’Evening Standard · 19 Oct, 14:25
• Tommy Robinson used ‘bullyboy, intimidatory tactics’ to threaten journalists, court toldFar-right activist is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence to two MailOnline reporters The far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson used “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” to threaten journalists and cause them to fear for their safety, a court has been told as his harassment trial got under way. Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence to two MailOnline reporters, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. He denies all charges. Continue reading...The Guardian · 19 Oct, 13:33
• Tommy Robinson ‘threatened journalists with bully-boy tactics after intrusion into holiday’Tommy Robinson threatened two MailOnline reporters after what he perceived to be an 'unnecessary intrusion' into one of his holidays in Cyprus, a court heardThe Mirror · 19 Oct, 13:31
• Tommy Robinson used ‘bully-boy tactics’ to frighten journalists, court toldThe political activist denies two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.Evening Standard · 19 Oct, 13:00
• Smiling Tommy Robinson arrives at London court to face trial over claims he harassed two journalistsEnglish Defence League founder allegedly told one reporter, ‘I’m coming to get you’, while telling the other, ‘I’ll be knocking at your door’Evening Standard · 19 Oct, 11:41
• Tommy Robinson arrives at court ahead of harassment trialThe political activist is accused of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.Evening Standard · 19 Oct, 10:17

In this story: Tommy Robinson · Stephen Yaxley-Lennon · Andrew Young · Jacob Dirnhuber · MailOnline · Southwark Crown Court · English Defence League · Cyprus

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