Crimeupdated 1h ago3 min read
MapTommy Robinson Convicted Of Harassing Daily Mail Journalists Andrew Young And Jacob Dirnhuber
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Tommy Robinson convicted of harassing two Daily Mail/Mail Online journalists. Convicted on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against journalists.
Conviction at Southwark Crown Court
Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against Daily Mail journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. A jury found Robinson guilty after hearing that he used "bully-boy, intimidatory tactics" to frighten reporters and force them to employ security or leave home. Prosecutor Ben Holt told the court that after three girls were murdered in Southport on 29 July 2024, Robinson made posts on social media that alerted the Daily Mail and Mail Online to the fact he was in Cyprus.
Robinson denied the charges and told the jury he had been "scared" when the Daily Mail published a story accusing him of "stoking race riots from his sunbed". Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said Robinson had "weaponised social media" and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence.
Threats, investigators, and bail
Robinson, who told the court his full name is Stephen Lennon, was convicted by a majority of 10 jurors to two on both charges, and he was granted bail ahead of sentencing scheduled for 16 December. Jurors heard Robinson hired private investigators to find the addresses of Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber after an article showed him on holiday in Cyprus on 4 August 2024. Robinson told the court he wanted to put "pressure" on the journalists but denied that hiring detectives was designed to "intimidate" them, and he described one video message he shared on X as "giving a warning".
A Met Police spokesperson said Robinson issued "threatening online posts" in the knowledge that they would almost certainly lead his followers to target and intimidate those journalists. Robinson also told the jury he had not known they were "in fear," and he said, "That wasn't my intention at all," as he argued he was trying to bring the Daily Mail to the table.
Sentencing stakes and reactions
The offence of harassment causing fear of violence carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, or up to 14 years if the offence is racially or religiously aggravated, and the judge said he would be considering "all options" when sentencing Robinson in December. Frank Ferguson warned that "Nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do," as he described how the evidence showed Robinson targeted the victims directly and indirectly through social media and by telephone. The Daily Mail said it welcomed the verdict and called Robinson's behaviour "reprehensible" with "grave consequences" for reporters and their families, while it said it stood by journalists' freedom to report legitimately in the public interest.
Robinson faced up to 10 years in prison after being found guilty, and Andrew Young described his concern that Robinson had "800,000 followers on X at the time" who might seek revenge on him, his home, or his family. Robinson's supporters let out sighs of disappointment as the verdicts were given to the court, and Robinson called the outcome "just insane" in a post on social media after leaving court.