Tommy Robinson convicted of harassing two Mail journalists

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, went on trial at Southwark Crown Court on Monday 19 October. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against Mail journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. The charges concern alleged conduct between 5 and 7 August 2024. [1] [2]

The case follows the Mail’s coverage of Robinson’s holiday in Cyprus after the Southport killings in July 2024. Robinson accused the newspaper of revealing where he was staying with his children. The jury was told that he says the coverage put his family in danger and that he acted to protect them. Jurors were also told the Mail had published no identifiable photographs of his children. [1]

Opening the prosecution case, Ben Holt said Robinson had tried to frighten the journalists by arranging for people to go to their homes and circulating images of the properties on X. Holt said Dirnhuber received direct messages including “I’ll be knocking at your door”. He alleged that, in a call with Young, Robinson recited Young’s home address and said he would visit. According to Holt, Dirnhuber had to move house and the Mail provided Young with a close protection officer. [1] [4]

Young’s address was also posted by another X account. AFP reported, in a dispatch published by the Times of Malta, that the account had not been linked to Robinson. Holt argued that Robinson would have known his followers might join in targeting the journalists. [1] [5]

Mr Justice Cavanagh told jurors that Robinson’s political views were not on trial. The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday morning. [1] [4]

Update

Tommy Robinson has been convicted of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. A jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty on Wednesday, 28 October, by a majority of 10 to two on each count. [6] [7] [8]

The case followed Mail coverage of Robinson’s holiday in Cyprus during unrest in England in August 2024. Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, hired private investigators to find the journalists’ addresses. Photographs of Dirnhuber outside his home and images of Young’s family were posted on Robinson’s X account, according to court reports. [7] [9]

Robinson told the jury he wanted to put pressure on the journalists but denied trying to intimidate them. He said he had feared for his family’s safety after the Mail published its story. The court heard that Young was given a close protection officer and Dirnhuber moved home. [7] [9] [10]

Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service said Robinson had “weaponised social media” against the journalists. Robinson was granted bail after the verdicts and is due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on 16 December. [6] [7]