Tommy Robinson guilty of harassing Daily Mail journalists

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists following a campaign that included hiring private investigators to obtain their home addresses.The 43-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of offences against freelance journalist Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber.On Tuesday, jurors were played a voicemail left on editor-in-chief Ted Verity’s phone, in which Robinson said: “If it’s legitimate journalism then expect me to come knocking,” adding: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.”The court heard Robinson posted photographs of Mr Dirnhuber outside his home and shared cropped images of members of Mr Young's family on X.During the trial, the English Defence League founder admitted he sought to place "pressure" on the journalists but denied his actions were intended to intimidate them.Read MoreThe verdicts came after jurors spent three days considering the case. On Wednesday, Mr Justice Cavanagh issued a majority direction, meaning he would accept verdicts on which at least 10 of the 12 jurors agreed.His trial heard how the anti-migrant activist “retaliated” after the Daily Mail and its sister publication the MailOnline 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.Robinson posted on X before the trial began to thank Tesla owner Elon Musk for funding his legal fees.He was granted bail ahead of his sentencing on December 16.