Tommy Robinson guilty of harassing Daily Mail journalists

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson will be sentenced on December 16 (Picture: REUTERS) Tommy Robinson faces years in prison after being found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists. Robinson, who gave his name in court as Stephen Lennon, stood still as he was found guilty of both charges of harassment causing fear of violence at Southwark Crown Court. The 43-year-old, who gave his full name to Southwark Crown Court as Stephen Lennon, is alleged to have harassed freelance journalist Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber in August 2024. The far-right activist’s supporters let out sighs of disappointment as the verdicts were handed down. The jurors had deliberated for 11 hours and 25 minutes before coming to a majority decision of 10 to two. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. Tommy Robinson remained motionless as the guilty verdict was read out (Picture: Reuters) His trial heard how the anti-migrant activist ‘retaliated’ after the Daily Mail published a story about him ‘stoking riots from his sunbed’ during unrest in the UK in August 2024 following the murders of three girls in Southport. Robinson made a series of posts on social media about the unfolding situation while on holiday in Cyprus, prompting the newspaper to send Mr Young and a photographer to the island. After the MailOnline published its story about him, Robinson posted criticisms on his X account of Mr Young and Mr Dirnhuber because of their involvement in the article. Robinson went on to hire private investigators to find the home addresses of his victims, as well as the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail, Ted Verity. The jury panel accepted the prosecution’s case that the decision to hire detectives was designed to ‘intimidate’ his victims, with photographs of Mr Dirnhuber outside his home and cropped images of Mr Young’s family posted online by Robinson. As well as social media posts and direct messages to Mr Dirnhuber, the defendant also became ‘increasingly menacing’ on a telephone call with Mr Young on August 5, 2024 – telling the freelance journalist: ‘I’m coming to get you.’ Jurors rejected claims from the activist that the Daily Mail had put his family in danger by publishing the story, with the defendant weeping in the witness box on Thursday as he spoke about the relationship he had with his children. Prosecutor Ben Holt previously told the court Mr Young was given a close protection officer by the Daily Mail after photographs of his wife and children were posted on Robinson’s X account. Mr Dirnhuber had to move house because of the harassment and Daily Mail correspondent George Odling also felt the need to leave his family home after becoming concerned with the publicity surrounding his colleagues. Mr Verity also provided evidence to police of a voicemail he received from Robinson, who told him: ‘I’ve already located every f****** one of you.’ Harassment causing fear of violence can carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, or up to 14 years in jail if the offence is racially or religiously aggravated. Prosecutors have said far-right activist Tommy Robinson ‘weaponised social media’, after he was found guilty of harassing two journalists. Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: ‘The evidence in this case showed that he targeted the victims directly and indirectly through social media and by telephone. He also published images relating not only to them, but also their families. ‘The jury heard from the victims and witnesses in this case, ultimately deciding that this behaviour crossed the line into criminality. ‘Nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do. ‘Journalists play an important role in a democratic society and should be able to carry out their professional duties without being subjected to harassment.’ The activist posted on X before the trial began to thank Elon Musk for funding his legal fees. He was granted bail ahead of his sentencing on December 16. Arrow MORE: Russell Brand claims he was ‘blocked from hospital’ to see sick baby son after rape allegations Arrow MORE: Husband ‘drugged and blindfolded wife and invited men to abuse her’ Arrow MORE: Van driver delivering blood to hospital hit cyclist deliberately, court hears News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.