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Daniel Thomas, an anti-migrant campaigner also known as Danny Tommo, has formally denied charges of criminal damage following an incident in the English Channel. The 37-year-old was arrested after a livestream showed him apparently attacking a dinghy with a knife while it was afloat. During the incident, a crew member was reportedly on board the vessel as it began leaking air.
Appearing remotely at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court in Hampshire, Thomas faced two charges: the first related to the alleged damage of the boat, and the second accusing him of refusing to provide his phone’s PIN. He entered a plea of not guilty for both offenses. The magistrate presiding over the case, Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram, noted that while the matter could have been resolved in the magistrates’ court, Thomas chose to have it heard at the crown court. Consequently, he has been remanded in custody pending his next hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court scheduled for 29 September.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Kevin Lucie summarized the facts surrounding the damage charge, highlighting Thomas’s actions and quoting his statement at the time: “You are on English territory. This is England. This is not France any more.” Among those present in the public gallery was far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson. Supporters also gathered outside the courthouse showing their backing for Thomas. Following the hearing, Yaxley-Lennon posted on social media confirming Thomas’s remand and indicated that the legal team would be seeking bail at the crown court.
Prior to the court appearance, Hampshire police confirmed the arrest after damage was inflicted on the boat, which had an emergency responder aboard. The evening before the hearing, a peaceful demonstration took place outside a police investigation center in Basingstoke, drawing several hundred people who believed Thomas was being held inside. Protesters chanted slogans including “free DT” before dispersing around 21:45 once news of the charges was made public
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