Tommy Robinson Found Guilty of Harassing Journalists, Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison

British far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two journalists in a way that caused them fear of violence, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Robinson's real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London found him guilty on both counts on Wednesday, after two days of deliberations and a direction from the judge that a majority verdict could be returned instead of a unanimous one.

The case centred on two Daily Mail journalists, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. The trial heard that Robinson shared pictures of one journalist's family online and said he had 'tagged and bagged' all three reporters who had worked on an article about his alleged role in influencing unrest after the 2024 Southport murders.

The court also heard that Dirnhuber and his partner had to leave their home, while Young and his family were given a close protection officer. The alleged campaign also included a call to the editor of the Daily Mail saying he would make the journalists and their families 'famous'.

He was accused of harassment through posts to his hundreds of thousands of followers on X and through direct messages. On 5 August 2024 he called Young and told him he would visit his house, saying: 'I'm coming to get you.' Young said in his witness statement that Robinson had 800,000 followers on X at the time.

The background was a Daily Mail story that tracked him down to a hotel in Cyprus, where he was commenting on events in the UK after the Southport murders, under the headline 'Stoking race riots from his sunbed'.

Giving evidence, Robinson said he had been in a panic after the Mail in effect identified the Cyprus hotel where he had gone with family and friends and published a photo of his ex-wife, which he said put her at risk. He said he had only wanted to question the journalists and claimed they knew he was not coming to beat them up.

A third Daily Mail journalist, George Odling, said in a witness statement that he, his wife and young child had to leave their home through a neighbour's house because they feared being followed by Robinson's supporters. On the day of the verdict, several journalists had to be escorted by security after threats inside the court from one of Robinson's supporters.

After the verdict, Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime and counter-terrorism division, said Robinson had 'weaponised social media' and that nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do. A Daily Mail spokesperson described his behaviour as reprehensible.

Robinson is a former member of the British National Party and a co-founder of the English Defence League. Ahead of the trial he said his legal bills were being paid by Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X.

He is due back in court on 16 December for sentencing. Mr Justice Cavanagh said after the verdict that he would consider all options, including a custodial sentence, whether in full or suspended.