Tommy Robinson appears at crown court ahead of October 19 harassment trial

Tommy Robinson has appeared at Southwark Crown Court ahead of his trial next month on charges of harassing two journalists.

The 43-year-old political activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, sat in the dock at the south London court on Friday, speaking only to confirm his name.

He is accused of two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline reporters Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, via his X account between August 5 and 7, 2024. Prosecutors allege he telephoned Mr Young on August 5, telling him: “I’m coming to get you,” and sent Mr Dirnhuber a direct message the same day saying: “I’ll be knocking at your door.”

Wearing a dark blue suit and a black tie, Robinson said nothing else at the brief hearing, having pleaded not guilty to the charges in July last year.

A five-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on October 19, 2026, at Southwark Crown Court, with a pre-trial review set for October 5.

Robinson denies the charges. After an earlier hearing he said he wanted “12 members of the British public” to hear the evidence in the case. Prosecutors have said none of the alleged harassment contained direct threats of violence.

Sources

• PA News Agency via Leigh Journal — “Tommy Robinson appears at crown court over alleged harassment of two journalists” — http://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/national/26602075.tommy-robinson-appears-crown-court-alleged-harassment-two-journalists/
• PA News Agency via Perspective Media (archive) — “Tommy Robinson allegedly told journalist ‘I’m coming to get you’” — https://www.perspectivemedia.com/tommy-robinson-allegedly-told-journalist-im-coming-to-get-you/