Jurors at Southwark Crown Court have convicted far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon of harassing two members of the press. The 43-year-old, widely known as Tommy Robinson, faces a decade in prison for his actions in London.
The "I'm cmoing to get you" thhreat and the Cyprus connection
The harassment campaign allegedly began after the Daily Mail published reports regarding Yaxley-Lennon's activities during the United Kingdom's August 2024 unrest . As reported by the source, the activist was accused of stoking riots from a sunbed while on holiday in Cyprus during the period of tension following the Southport murders. This reporting prompted a series of retaliatory actions aimed at the journalists involved.
The prosecution described the behavior as a targeted campaign of intimidation. According to the report, Yaxley-Lennon used social media and direct messages to menace reporters, including a telephone call on August 5, 2024, where he reportedly told freelance reporter Andrew Young, "I'm coming to get you." This specific threat, alongside the use of private investigators to locate home addresses, forced both Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber to seek extra security or flee their residences to avoid potential vigilante attacks.
A 10-to-2 majority verdict and a 10-year prison threat
The jury at Southwark Crown Court in south London delivered a majority verdict of 10 to 2 against the activist. While Yaxley-Lennon has a criminal history that includes previous convictions for assault, mortgage fraud,and contempt of court, this specific conviction carries significant weight. Justice John Cavanagh has granted Yaxley-Lennon bail for the time being, with the final sentencing hearing scheduled for December 16, where he faces a potential term of up to 10 years in prison.
Elon Musk's role in funding the Yaxley-Lennon defense
The trial gained significant international attention due to the involvement of Elon Musk, the owner of X and Tesla, who provided funding for Yaxley-Lennon's legal defense.. This connection highlights a growing trend of high-profile tech billionaires providing financial backing to controversial political figures. The source notes that while the English Defence League, which Yaxley-Lennon founded in 2009, has largely faded from public view, his ability to mobilize crowds and attract high-level support remains a potent force in British politics.
The missing details of the private investigator's findings
While the jury has ruled on the harassment of Young and Dirnhuber, several specific details regarding the scope of the intimidation remain unverified. It is not yet clear how much information the hired private investigators successfully obtained regarding the home addresses of Daily Mail editor-in-chief Ted Verity or other staff members. Furthermore, while Yaxley-Lennon has dismissed the verdicts as "insane" on social media, the report does not provide the specific legal counter-arguments his defense team presented during the trial to contest the harassment charges.
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