Far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists in a manner that caused them genuine fear of violence. A jury at Southwark Crown Court delivered the verdict on 28 October 2026 following a week-long trial, concluding that Robinson—whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon—deployed intimidatory tactics that forced the journalists and their family members to abandon their homes.
According to The Guardian, Robinson shared photographs of one journalist's family members online and declared he had "tagged and bagged" all three reporters responsible for coverage of the 2024 Southport murders. The harassment charges brought before the court related specifically to two of the three journalists involved in that reporting. BBC News identified the two journalists as Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.
The trial heard evidence that Robinson employed what prosecutors described as "bully-boy, intimidatory tactics" against the Daily Mail journalists and their relatives. The scale of the intimidation was severe enough that multiple family members felt compelled to leave their residences due to safety concerns stemming from Robinson's online campaign. The 43-year-old, from Bedfordshire, was convicted on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence.
What triggered the harassment campaign?
Robinson's response targeted Daily Mail and Mail Online articles from August 2024, which showed him on holiday in Cyprus while riots took place in England following the Southport murders. The journalists' reporting prompted Robinson's subsequent online intimidation campaign against them and their families.
Background to the case
This conviction follows a pattern of allegations against Robinson involving false accusations and harassment. In July 2026, Robinson admitted falsely accusing a UK father of filming children during anti-immigration protests in Glasgow, an error that left the man fearing for his safety after being publicly labelled an "invader" and receiving threats. Additionally, three men lost their appeal in September 2026 against harassment convictions for visiting journalist Catrin Nye's home, with the judge rejecting claims of citizen journalism and finding their conduct constituted bullying and oppressive behaviour.
What happens next?
Robinson now faces sentencing following his conviction. The guilty verdict establishes legal precedent regarding online harassment campaigns targeting journalists and their families, reinforcing protections for media workers who face intimidation for their reporting.
Key Facts
- Robinson was convicted on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence at Southwark Crown Court on 28 October 2026
- The harassment targeted journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber of the Daily Mail
- Robinson shared photographs of the journalists' family members online and made threatening statements about them
- The intimidation campaign was severe enough to force family members to leave their homes
- Sentencing is yet to be determined
