Tommy Robinson Harassment Trial: Day 1 AM
The trial of Tommy Robinson, the fugitive former EDL leader, began today as he appeared in court charged with harassment following his recent capture. The case has drawn significant attention due to his notoriety and the allegations against him, setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle.
Tommy Robinson Harassment Trial: Daily Coverage & Case Overview
The criminal trial of political activist Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is underway at Southwark Crown Court in London, following allegations of harassment causing fear of violence against two national newspaper journalists.
VP News is providing live updates from Southwark Crown Court, bringing you full, in-depth reports from every morning and afternoon session as the trial progresses.
Below is an overview of the legal proceedings, the specific charges on the indictment and the essential facts of the case.
Vital Trial Information & Case Snapshot
- Defendant: Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (known as Tommy Robinson), aged 43.
- Jurisdiction & Venue: Southwark Crown Court, London.
- Indictment Charges: Two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.
- Alleged Victims: Two MailOnline reporters, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.
- Alleged Timeline & Scope: Direct messages on X and a phone call between 5 and 7 August 2024, allegedly including threats to visit the journalists' home addresses.
- Plea & Bail Status: Robinson maintains a plea of not guilty to both counts on the indictment.
- Anticipated Duration: The trial is scheduled to sit for five days.
DAILY LIVE REPORTING BELOW ⬇️
🔴 12:55
PROSECUTION SAYS DEFENDANT'S TONE CHANGED TO ANGRY AND RETALIATORY
Prosecutor Ben Holt told jurors that while early posts showed concern, Robinson's tone soon changed to angry and retaliatory ⬇️
🔴 12:53
ROBINSON ACCUSED ESTABLISHMENT OF ENDANGERING CHILDREN
The defendant posted that the outlet gave his location knowing people want to kill him, calling it a coordinated establishment attack ⬇️
🔴 12:51
POST CRITICISED ARTICLE LOCATION DETAILS ON X
Robinson claimed online that the publication endangered his family by sharing where he was staying with his children ⬇️
🔴 12:47
PROSECUTION READS DEFENDANT'S SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
The court heard Robinson reacted on X on 4 August 2024 to the MailOnline piece, posting 'Imagine thinking this is journalism' ⬇️
🔴 12:43
JURORS TOLD INITIAL RESPONSE MAY BE SEEN AS PROPORTIONATE
Mr Holt told the jury that members may view the defendant's initial online reaction to the article as a proportionate response ⬇️
🔴 12:55
PROSECUTION SAYS DEFENDANT'S TONE CHANGED TO ANGRY AND RETALIATORY
Prosecutor Ben Holt told jurors that while early posts showed concern, Robinson's tone soon changed to angry and retaliatory ⬇️
🔴 12:53
ROBINSON ACCUSED ESTABLISHMENT OF ENDANGERING CHILDREN
The defendant posted that the outlet gave his location knowing people want to kill him, calling it a coordinated establishment attack ⬇️
🔴 12:39
PROSECUTION ALLEGES DEFENDANT CHOSE TO FRIGHTEN REPORTERS
Prosecutor Ben Holt told the jury that the defendant reacted to the publication by choosing to intimidate and frighten the journalists involved ⬇️
🔴 12:37
TRIAL FOCUSES ON REACTION TO HOLIDAY INTRUSION
Mr Holt stated that the proceedings are focused on the defendant's perception of an unnecessary intrusion into his family holiday in Cyprus ⬇️
🔴 12:35
PROSECUTOR SAYS EDITORIAL DECISION NOT ON TRIAL
The court heard that any complaints regarding the Daily Mail's editorial call could have been directed to the media regulator IPSO instead ⬇️
🔴 12:33
INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST SENT TO CYPRUS BY DAILY MAIL
Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber dispatched investigative reporter Andrew Young and a photographer to Cyprus after viewing comments as newsworthy ⬇️
🔴 12:31
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS MADE FROM HOLIDAY IN CYPRUS
The prosecution outlined that the trial centres on social media posts published by Robinson on 28 July 2024 while abroad with family ⬇️
🔴 12:29
ROBINSON HAS TWO MILLION FOLLOWERS ON X
Opening the Crown's case, prosecutor Ben Holt told jurors that the defendant maintains a large active online following of around two million users ⬇️
🔴 12:23
PROSECUTOR BEN HOLT BEGINS CROWN OPENING
Lead prosecutor Ben Holt has risen to outline the Crown's case to the jury at Southwark Crown Court ⬇️
🔴 12:15
NOT A TRIAL OF POLITICAL VIEWS, JUDGE TELLS JURORS
Justice Kavanagh instructed jurors to try the case in a calm manner, stating the proceedings are not an assessment of the defendant's political views ⬇️
🔴 12:13
JURORS WARNED AGAINST EXTERNAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
The judge urged panel members not to be influenced by external media reports or discuss trial details with friends, family, or on social media ⬇️
🔴 12:11
CLERK READS OUT INDICTMENT AT SOUTHWARK CROWN COURT
The court clerk spent several minutes reading out the formal indictment detailing the charges faced by the defendant during the hearing ⬇️
🔴 12:09
TWO COUNTS OF HARASSMENT ALLEGED AGAINST REPORTERS
Robinson faces two counts of harassment causing fear of violence directed at MailOnline journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber ⬇️
🔴 12:07
ALLEGED MESSAGE THREATENS DOORSTEP VISIT
The indictment alleges Robinson sent direct messages on X between 5 and 7 August 2024, including one stating 'I'll be knocking at your door' ⬇️
🔴 12:05
PHONE CALL THREAT ALLEGEDLY MADE TO REPORTER
Prosecutors allege Robinson threatened freelance journalist Andrew Young in a phone call on 5 August, stating 'I'm coming to get you' ⬇️
🔴 12:03
EDITED PHOTOS AND TRACKING CLAIMS ALLEGED
The defendant is further accused of sharing edited photos of Young and his partner alongside claims that he had tracked each of them ⬇️
🔴 11:51
JURY SWORN IN FOR HARASSMENT TRIAL
Nine women and three men were selected and sworn in as jurors while Robinson stood in the dock watching with his face pressed against the glass ⬇️
🔴 11:47
PROSPECTIVE JURY RETURNS TO COURTROOM
The panel of prospective jurors returned to Courtroom 1 following a brief recess to begin the formal selection process ⬇️
🔴 11:39
BEN HOLT LEADS PROSECUTION CASE
Counsel details show Ben Holt appears as lead prosecutor attempting to prove the two counts of harassment causing fear of violence ⬇️
🔴 11:37
ALISDAIR WILLIAMSON KC LEADS DEFENCE
Alisdair Williamson KC leads the defence representation for Stephen Yaxley-Lennon under trial judge Justice Kavanagh ⬇️
🔴 11:28
JURORS REMINDED OF DEFENDANT'S HIGH PUBLIC PROFILE
Justice Kavanagh informed prospective jurors that knowing of Stephen Lennon is not grounds alone to stand aside, adding the trial should last around a week ⬇️
🔴 11:25
JURORS EXCUSED FOR SHORT RECESS
After a list of individuals involved in the case was read aloud, prospective jurors were excused from the courtroom for a brief break ⬇️
🔴 11:22
PERSONAL CONNECTION CONCERNS HIGHLIGHTED BY JUDGE
The judge stressed to potential jurors standing in the courtroom that no individual should have any personal connection to the proceedings or to Lennon ⬇️
🔴 11:15
ROBINSON SHAKES HEAD IN DOCK BEFORE JURY SELECTION
Sitting with his head down and eyes fixed on the front of the courtroom, Robinson shook his head and occasionally spoke to a court officer behind him ⬇️
🔴 11:10
SUPPORTERS CONVERSE IN PUBLIC GALLERY
While awaiting the arrival of potential jurors, supporters of the defendant were observed speaking quietly among themselves in the gallery ⬇️
🔴 10:58
JURY SELECTION PROCESS BEGINS AS JUDGE ENTERS
Justice Kavanagh entered Courtroom 1 to formally open proceedings, with jury selection commencing immediately after initial formalities ⬇️
🔴 10:55
DEFENDANT CONFIRMS NAME TO COURT CLERK
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon spoke in the dock to confirm his identity when formally addressed by the court clerk as the hearing got under way ⬇️
🔴 10:50
PACKED PRESS BENCH AHEAD OF TRIAL OPENING
Journalists filled the press bench in Courtroom 1 at Southwark Crown Court prior to the start of the hearing ⬇️
🔴 10:48
ROBINSON SEEN PACING IN DOCK
Wearing a colourful waistcoat, Robinson was seen pacing inside the dock and chatting with three supporters seated in the public gallery ⬇️
🔴 10:45
SUPPORTERS AWAIT ADMISSION TO COURTROOM
Additional supporters of the defendant remained outside the courtroom waiting to be admitted to the gallery ahead of proceedings ⬇️
🔴 10:40
NOT GUILTY PLEA ENTERED AT MAGISTRATES COURT
Robinson previously pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July 2025 following CPS authorization of harassment charges ⬇️
🔴 10:38
CHARGES FOLLOWED MAY 2025 POLICE INVESTIGATION
The Metropolitan Police charged Stephen Yaxley-Lennon in May 2025 with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against two men ⬇️
🔴 10:04
FIVE-DAY TRIAL GETS UNDER WAY
Robinson entered the court building surrounded by supporters to face two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.⬇️
🔴 10:02
SUPPORTER-RUN MEDIA CHANNELS ADDRESSED
He spent several minutes talking to his supporter-run media channels before proceeding toward the main entrance ⬇️
🔴 10:01
DARK SUIT AND TIE WORN BY DEFENDANT
Robinson, wearing a dark suit and tie, walked to the court building flanked by a group of supporters ⬇️
🔴 10:00
TOMMY ROBINSON ARRIVES FOR HARASSMENT TRIAL
Political activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, arrived on foot at Southwark Crown Court ahead of his trial ⬇️
🔴 9:45
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Tommy Robinson harassment trial in court 1 at Southwark Crown Court.
