Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two journalists in a campaign that left them fearing they could be attacked.
The 43-year-old, who told the court his full name is Stephen Lennon, was described by prosecutors as a “bully” after freelance reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber said they felt compelled to leave their homes or pay for extra security amid concerns about a possible “vigilante” assault.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court deliberated for 11 hours and 25 minutes before convicting Robinson, by a 10-2 majority, on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.
During the trial, jurors heard the case stemmed from what the prosecution called Robinson’s “retaliation” after the Daily Mail and its sister site MailOnline ran an article accusing him of “stoking riots from his sunbed” during unrest in the UK in August 2024, which followed the murders of three girls in Southport.
Robinson had been posting on social media about the developing situation while on holiday in Cyprus, leading the newspaper to dispatch Mr Young and a photographer to the island.
Once the MailOnline story was published, Robinson used his X account to criticise Mr Young and Mr Dirnhuber over their roles in the reporting.
The court heard Robinson then hired private investigators to obtain the home addresses of both men, as well as the Daily Mail’s editor-in-chief, Ted Verity.
Jurors accepted the prosecution’s argument that employing detectives was intended to “intimidate” those targeted, with Robinson posting online photographs of Mr Dirnhuber outside his home and cropped images showing Mr Young’s family.
Alongside social media posts and direct messages sent to Mr Dirnhuber, Robinson was said to have become “increasingly menacing” during a phone call with Mr Young on 5 August 2024, when he told the freelance journalist: “I’m coming to get you.”
The jury rejected Robinson’s claims that the Daily Mail had endangered his family by publishing the report. Robinson, the court heard, broke down in tears in the witness box as he spoke about his relationship with his children.
Prosecutor Ben Holt previously told the court the Daily Mail arranged a close protection officer for Mr Young after Robinson posted images of the reporter’s wife and children on X.
Mr Dirnhuber moved house as a result of the harassment, and Daily Mail correspondent George Odling also left his family home after becoming concerned about the attention surrounding his colleagues, the trial heard.
Mr Verity gave police evidence of a voicemail he received from Robinson, in which he said: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.”
Before proceedings began, Robinson posted on X to thank Tesla owner Elon Musk for paying his legal fees.
Harassment causing fear of violence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, rising to up to 14 years if the offence is racially or religiously aggravated.
Supporters of Robinson in the public gallery sighed in disappointment as the verdicts were delivered.
He was granted bail and is due to be sentenced on 16 December.
Robinson ‘weaponised social media’
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.”
