Tommy Robinson Found Guilty in Court as Details of What He Had Been Doing Behind the Scenes Come Out, and He Told the Judge Why He Did It

Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two journalists following a trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The 43-year-old political activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was convicted after a jury heard how he targeted two journalists connected to the Daily Mail in August 2024.

The decision came after jurors spent 11 hours and 25 minutes discussing the evidence. Ten jurors agreed that Robinson was guilty, while two disagreed. The judge accepted the majority verdict.

As the decision was announced, some of Robinson’s supporters sitting in the public gallery appeared disappointed and could be heard sighing.

Robinson, who was wearing a navy suit and a waistcoat with what appeared to be American flags on the back, remained standing as the verdict was read out. He later sat down and quietly shook his head while the judge spoke to the jury.

The court heard that Robinson had hired private investigators to find the home addresses of the two journalists. Prosecutors said he then used social media to put pressure on them and make them fear for their safety.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, Robinson shared photographs of one journalist outside his home. He also posted cropped pictures showing family members of the other journalist on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.

Prosecutors argued that his actions went beyond normal criticism of journalists and became a campaign of harassment that made the two individuals seriously worried about possible violence.

During the trial, Robinson admitted that he wanted to put pressure on the journalists. However, he denied that his decision to hire private investigators was intended to frighten or threaten them.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence.

Following the guilty verdicts, the Crown Prosecution Service strongly criticised Robinson’s behaviour.

Frank Ferguson, who leads the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said Robinson had used social media as a tool to harass the journalists.

He explained that the evidence showed Robinson had targeted the two people in different ways, including through telephone contact and social media posts.

The prosecution also pointed to the publication of photographs connected to the journalists and their families, saying this helped create fear and distress.

Mr Ferguson said the jury had listened to evidence from the victims and other witnesses before deciding that Robinson’s actions had crossed the line into criminal behaviour.

He stressed that journalists should never have to worry about being attacked or threatened simply because they are doing their jobs.

According to him, journalists play an important role in a democratic country because they investigate stories, ask questions and provide information to the public.

He said they must be allowed to carry out their work without facing harassment or threats of violence.

The CPS also made it clear that it would continue working with the police to bring people who break the law before the courts, regardless of their public profile.

Mr Ferguson said he hoped the convictions would reassure journalists and members of the public that harassment and threatening behaviour would be taken seriously by the justice system.

Robinson, who previously led the English Defence League, has been involved in several public controversies over the years. His latest conviction follows a court case focused on his treatment of the two journalists rather than his political views.

The trial raised questions about how public figures use social media when they disagree with journalists or news organisations.

While people are allowed to criticise news reports and challenge journalists, prosecutors argued that Robinson’s actions went much further because they involved finding private addresses and sharing personal photographs online.

The jury ultimately agreed that his behaviour amounted to criminal harassment causing fear of violence.

The guilty verdict means Robinson has now been convicted of both charges brought against him in this case. The information provided does not confirm what sentence he will receive or when sentencing will take place.