Tommy Robinson convicted of harassing two Daily Mail journalists
publishers 26articles 28first reported 28 Oct, 14:50 UTCdeveloping since 28 Oct · 4 editions
British activist Tommy Robinson was convicted Thursday of harassing two journalists and causing them to fear violence following coverage of his holiday in Cyprus during unrest in England in August 2024.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, guilty of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence. Jurors reached majority verdicts of 10-2 after deliberating for more than 11 hours.
The case concerned Robinson’s response to Daily Mail and MailOnline reports showing him in Cyprus while riots followed the murder of three girls in Southport. Prosecutors said he targeted freelance reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber through social media posts, messages and other conduct.
Robinson hired private investigators to locate the journalists’ homes. He later posted photographs of Dirnhuber outside his home and cropped images of Young’s family online. The court heard that Young received close protection and Dirnhuber moved home because of fears of an attack.
Robinson denied the charges, saying he had panicked because he believed the Mail’s reporting had endangered his family by disclosing their location. He acknowledged wanting to pressure the newspaper but said he had not intended to frighten the journalists. The jury accepted the prosecution’s argument that his actions were intended to intimidate them.
Robinson was released on bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16. Each offence can carry a maximum prison term of 10 years.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 7 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 18 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 7, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 18 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- passed
- Human review
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WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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