Tommy Robinson could face up to 10 years in jail for harassing journalists

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson could face up to 10 years in prison after being convicted of harassing two journalists and causing them to fear violence.

The 43-year-old, who told his trial his full name is Stephen Lennon, was labelled a “bully” by prosecutors after freelance reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber felt forced to either leave their homes or employ extra security for fear of a “vigilante” attack.

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court took 11 hours and 25 minutes to find Robinson guilty by a majority of 10 jurors to two of both charges of harassment causing fear of violence.

Mr Justice Cavanagh has said he will consider “all options” when sentencing Robinson in December this year.

Robinson took to social media after the hearing to call the verdicts “insane”.

His trial heard the anti-migrant activist “retaliated” after the Daily Mail and its sister publication 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.

Mr Justice Cavanagh addressed the court before the jury came back to deliver their verdicts, and said “everybody must remain silent”.

He said: “Whatever the verdicts may be, they must be received in complete and respectful silence.

“Everybody must remain silent until both the jury and I have left court.”

Robinson’s supporters in the public gallery let out sighs of disappointment as the verdicts were given to the court.

Robinson, wearing a blue suit, sat down and shook his head quietly after the verdicts were given, and stared at the jury.

He had 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 criticism 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.”

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.

It involves two or more harassment incidents that leave the victim fearing that violence will be used against them.

The offence is classified under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and can also be punishable by a fine.

Jurors rejected claims from Robinson 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.”

The activist posted on X before the trial began to thank Tesla owner Elon Musk for funding his legal fees.

A spokesman for the Daily Mail said: “We welcome today’s verdict and are pleased that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon has been found guilty of harassment causing fear of violence to two of our journalists.

“Yaxley-Lennon’s behaviour was reprehensible and had grave consequences for our reporters and their families.

“Through his actions, Yaxley-Lennon sought to undermine our right to hold him to account. We stand by our journalists and their freedom to report legitimately in the public interest.”

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Stephen Lennon weaponised social media and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence.

“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.”

Mr Justice Cavanagh thanked the jury for their work and told them they are welcome to attend the sentencing hearing on December 16.

Robinson was granted bail ahead of sentencing.