Tommy Robinson trial: Jury delivers verdict to far-right activist accused of harassing reporters

UK anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, has been convicted of harassing two journalists during widespread rioting two years ago.

Robinson - who stood trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court under the name Stephen Lennon - was charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence, relating to messages and calls to two Daily Mail journalists in 2024.

After three young girls were murdered in the northern town of Southport that July, Robinson repeatedly posted about the killings as riots spread across the United Kingdom.

The Daily Mail tracked Robinson down to Cyprus, where he was on holiday with his family, and published a story which accused him of “stoking race riots from his sunbed”.

Robinson repeatedly contacted two journalists involved in the story, posted several messages about them on X and said he had photos of their home address and family.

Robinson claimed he had only intended to put pressure on the reporters and the Daily Mail to remove a picture of his ex-wife from their website.

But he was found guilty by a 10-2 majority on Wednesday and released on bail ahead of his sentencing in December.

Jurors 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.

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

The judge said he will consider “all options” when sentencing Robinson in December.

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.

with PA