Tommy Robinson Found Guilty of Harassing Two Journalists

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was found guilty on 28 October of harassing two journalists. He is due to learn his sentence on 16 December, and Reuters has reported that he could face up to 10 years in prison.

The case was heard at Southwark Crown Court. The jury deliberated for more than 11 hours before reaching its verdict on a charge of harassment causing fear of violence. The two people he was found to have harassed were Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, both reporters for the Daily Mail.

Both men had reported on Robinson's alleged role in influencing the 2024 Southend riots. According to The Guardian, Young and Dirnhuber were forced either to employ security or to leave their homes.

The court also heard that Robinson admitted paying for the personal phone number of Ted Verity, the Daily Mail's editor. He also left Verity a message threatening to make the paper's journalists and their families "famous".

Frank Ferguson, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, the unit of the prosecuting body that handled the case, said Stephen Lennon had weaponised social media. In a statement published by the CPS, Ferguson said Lennon had subjected the two journalists to a campaign of harassment that caused them serious fear of violence.

Robinson has thanked Elon Musk for bankrolling his legal expenses. The National Union of Journalists has also issued a statement responding to the conviction.

Robinson is 43 years old. His sentencing hearing will take place on 16 December.