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Tommy Robinson, a political activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been accused of sharing images of a journalist’s family on social media and threatening to visit their home. These allegations were presented in court, where Robinson faces two charges of harassment causing fear of violence directed at reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. Robinson, 43, from Bedfordshire, pleaded not guilty to both charges in July of last year.
The case stems from events following the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport in July 2024. Robinson posted on social media during a holiday in Cyprus, which led the Daily Mail to publish photos of him relaxing on a sunbed. Subsequently, photographs of Andrew Young’s wife and child were circulated among Robinson’s followers online. Prosecutor Ben Holt described Robinson’s behavior as employing “bully-boy tactics” designed to intimidate the journalists after these articles appeared.
During the trial, evidence was shared about Robinson’s direct contact and intimidation attempts towards Young. Young revealed in his statement that someone appearing to support Robinson had leaked his home address on the social media platform X. Young also recounted receiving a threatening phone call from a man identifying himself as Robinson, describing the conversation as increasingly hostile, with Robinson reportedly saying, “I’m coming to get you.” Young’s family had also noticed suspicious activity outside their home, including a man sitting in a grey Audi earlier in August, which made Young believe Robinson was acting on his threats. Further intimidation occurred when two men in a car reportedly shouted at and photographed Young’s daughter, causing significant distress to his family.
The court also heard from Jacob Dirnhuber, the other journalist involved, who stated that Robinson’s alleged harassment left him frightened to be in public or even at home. Dirnhuber’s witness statement detailed the turmoil following the Southport attack, emphasizing the public interest in reporting on the “far-right agitation” linked to figures like Robinson that had incited riots nationwide. After receiving several messages from Robinson in August 2024, Dirnhuber felt compelled to move house for his safety. In his statement, he expressed ongoing fear and vulnerability, saying, “It made me scared to go out in public, it made me scared to go to my own house, it made me feel guilty about how it had affected my loved ones.” He added, “Even now, when I step out my front door, I’m aware I’m at risk of a vigilante attack… I feel vulnerable. I feel I will be looking over my shoulder for a long time.” The trial is still ongoing
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