TOMMY Robinson has been found guilty of using”bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” to threaten journalists and force them to leave their homes.
The far-Right activist – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – “weaponised social media” to intimidate two reporters in the wake of the Southport massacre.
Jurors heard Robinson, 43, sent photographers to the homes of investigative reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail journalist Jacob Dirnhuber.
He then shared the “redacted” images on X for the “enjoyment and appreciation of his followers”.
Prosecutor Ben Holy said: “As a result, the journalists feared for their own personal safety and also for their own family, either being forced to leave home or employ security personnel to watch their home address.”
Robinson shook his head as he was found guilty of harassment causing fear of violence today.
He faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison when he is sentenced in December.
Southwark Crown Court heard at the time of the posts, there had been a “public interest in drawing attention to far-right who appeared to be encouraging the disorder after the Southport attacks”.
Robinson was on holiday in Cyprus with his family and friends but made a “number of social media posts during that period”.
Jurors heard Mr Dirnhuber dispatched Mr Young to Cyprus to cover the story with a photographer under the view that Robinson was working as “tweeting is part of his day job”.
A story was subsequently published about him and his whereabouts that led to Robinson making a series of posts on his X account accusing the publication of “doxxing”.
There were no identifiable pictures of Robinson’s children published by the Daily Mail or in the MailOnline.
One read: “The daily mail have purposely gave the location of where I am with my children knowing full well that people want to kill me.
“This is a coordinated establishment attack, days of lies blaming me & the non existent EDL for trouble & now they endanger my children’.”
Mr Holt said jurors might think Robinson’s actions were a “proportionate response by Mr Lennon” who was “just expressing his disapproval at being found whilst on holiday and an article being published about him”.
He added: “Obviously, had matters not escalated, we would not be here.
“However… over the following few days Mr Lennon’s tone and actions changed; from what on the face of it is a reasonable, concerned person to what we say is angry and retaliatory.”
He added: “What he did, we say, was to intimidate those journalists.
“He chose to frighten them, arrange for individuals to go their addresses.
“On social media, to millions of followers, he circulated images of their homes.
“His supporters got involved, threatening the journalists.
“Understandably, you might agree, they were scared, in some circumstances, being forced to leave their homes.”
Mr Holt said the former EDL leader used “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” to threaten the journalists in the case.
This included sending direct messages to Mr Dirnhuber between 4am and 4pm on August 5.
Robinson told him “You have endangered my children,” “I’ll be knocking at your door,” and “Let your bosses know I’m coming to all of your houses.”
Later messages said, “Okay got your address’ and, “We need to talk.”
Mr Holt said the activist’s case was that his family had been put in danger by the actions of the Daily Mail.
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Stephen Lennon weaponised social media and subjected two journalists to a campaign of harassment which caused them serious fear of violence.
“The evidence in this case showed that he targeted the victims directly and indirectly through social media and by telephone. He also published images relating not only to them, but also their families.
“The jury heard from the victims and witnesses in this case, ultimately deciding that this behaviour crossed the line into criminality.
“Nobody should be made to fear violence because of the work they do.
“Journalists play an important role in a democratic society and should be able to carry out their professional duties without being subjected to harassment.
“We will always seek to work with the police to prosecute those who break the law and I hope these convictions provide reassurance that such behaviour will be treated seriously by the criminal justice system.”
