Tommy Robinson threatened to publish journalist's family details, court told

Far-right activist denies two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline journalists

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

The far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson threatened to publish details about a journalist's family and warned him they would have to move home, a court has heard. Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, which he denies.

The trial at Southwark crown court on Monday heard that Robinson became enraged after the Mail published a story about him with the headline: Stoking race riots from his sunbed. The article reported on his activities in Cyprus after the 2024 Southport killings, when he was accused of influencing subsequent riots.

Prosecutor Ben Holt said the case was about Robinson's reaction to what he perceived as "an unnecessary intrusion into his holiday". He told the court that journalists and their family members had to flee their homes after "bullyboy, intimidatory tactics" were deployed against them.

The court heard a recording of Young responding to a telephone call from Robinson after the journalist had tracked him down to Cyprus. Young said in a witness statement that Robinson became "increasingly menacing, swearing and shouting". He said his main concern was that while Robinson might not physically harm him, he had 800,000 followers on X at the time "who might have been tempted to seek revenge on me or my home or my family for what I had written".

Young's home address was published online by an anonymous X account, along with the words "please be sure to congratulate him". The court also heard that unknown men started appearing outside Young's home and that of another journalist working with him. Young's daughter was out walking several days after the Cyprus article was published and heard two men in a car shout at her; she believed they also took a picture of her.

Jacob Dirnhuber, his partner and their dog had to leave their home address after Robinson tweeted images of the journalist online and allegedly messaged him photographs of an unknown woman. Dirnhuber said in his witness statement that he felt he would be "looking over my shoulder for a long time", adding: "I have the knowledge that Tommy Robinson knows my address and my last name is very identifiable." He said the alleged harassment may have had an "adverse impact" on his willingness to cover certain stories.

Robinson, who attended court with a large number of supporters, denies the charges. The hearing continues.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case raises concerns about the safety of journalists reporting on far-right figures and the potential for online harassment to escalate into real-world intimidation.
It tests the legal boundaries of what constitutes harassment causing fear of violence, especially when the accused has a large social media following.
The outcome could affect how journalists cover controversial public figures, and whether they feel able to report on their activities without personal risk.

Background

Tommy Robinson is a prominent far-right activist in the UK, known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration campaigning. In August 2024, after the Southport killings, he was accused of influencing subsequent riots across England. The current charges relate to his alleged response to MailOnline articles that reported on his holiday in Cyprus during that period. The trial opened on 19 October 2026.

Key Perspectives

Prosecution: Describes a pattern of "bullyboy, intimidatory tactics" that forced journalists and their families to flee their homes. The prosecutor said the case was about Robinson's reaction to media coverage of his holiday. Journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber: Both expressed fear for their personal safety and that of their families. Young said his address was posted online by a supporter, while Dirnhuber said he felt he would be "looking over my shoulder for a long time". Robinson: Denies the two charges of harassment causing fear of violence. He attended court with a large number of supporters. The defence case has not yet been presented.

What to Watch

Whether Robinson's social media following is used to influence proceedings or intimidate witnesses.
The testimony of the journalists and any corroborating evidence of the alleged threats.
The verdict and any sentencing if convicted, which could set a precedent for similar cases.

Sources

Tommy Robinson threatened to publish details about journalist’s family, court told · World news | The Guardian
Tommy Robinson threatened to publish details about journalist’s family, court told · UK news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedRobinson threatened to publish details about a journalist’s family and warned him they would have to move home.World news | The Guardian: “Tommy Robinson threatened to publish details about journalist’s family, court told. The far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson threatened to publish details about a journalist’s family and warned him that they would have to move home, a court has been told.”
SupportedRobinson denies two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against MailOnline journalists Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber.World news | The Guardian: “Robinson, 42, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence to two MailOnline journalists, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, in 2024. He denies the charges.”
SupportedThe case concerns Robinson’s reaction to what he perceived as “an unnecessary intrusion into his holiday”.World news | The Guardian: “The trial opened on Monday, with prosecutor Ben Holt saying the case was about Robinson’s reaction to what he perceived to be “an unnecessary intrusion into his holiday”.”
SupportedThe prosecutor said journalists and family members had to flee their homes after “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” were deployed against them.World news | The Guardian: “Journalists and their family members had to flee their homes after “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” were deployed against them, Holt said.”
SupportedRobinson became enraged after the Mail published a story headlined “Stoking race riots from his sunbed”.World news | The Guardian: “Robinson, who attended court with a large number of supporters, was said to have become enraged after the Mail published a story about him with the headline: Stoking race riots from his sunbed.”
SupportedThe article concerned Robinson’s activities in Cyprus after the 2024 Southport killings, when he was accused of influencing the subsequent riots.World news | The Guardian: “one of a number of journalists involved in reporting on his activities after the 2024 Southport killings, when he was accused of influencing the subsequent riots.”
SupportedYoung said Robinson had 800,000 X followers who might have been tempted to seek revenge on him, his home or his family.World news | The Guardian: ““My main concern was that while he may not physically harm me, he had 800,000 followers on X at the time who might have been tempted to seek revenge on me or my home or my family for what I had written,” Young said in a statement read out in court.”
SupportedYoung’s home address was posted online by an anonymous X account with the words “please be sure to congratulate him”.World news | The Guardian: “he was still in Cyprus on 5 August 2024 when he became aware that his home address had been posted on X by an anonymous account, along with the words “please be sure to congratulate him”.”
SupportedYoung said Robinson became “increasingly menacing, swearing and shouting” during the call.World news | The Guardian: “He later received a call from a man introducing himself as Tommy Robinson, who became “increasingly menacing, swearing and shouting”.”
SupportedYoung’s daughter heard two men in a car shout at her several days after the Cyprus article was published and believed they took her picture.World news | The Guardian: “Young said his daughter was out walking several days after the article about Robinson in Cyprus was published and heard two men in a car shout at her. She believed they also took a picture of her.”
SupportedDirnhuber, his partner and their dog had to leave their home after Robinson tweeted images of him and allegedly messaged photographs of an unknown woman.World news | The Guardian: “Dirnhuber, his partner and their dog had to leave their home address after Robinson tweeted images of the journalist online and allegedly messaged him photographs of an unknown woman, the court was told.”
SupportedDirnhuber said the alleged harassment may have had an “adverse impact” on his willingness to cover certain stories.World news | The Guardian: “The alleged harassment may have had an “adverse impact” on his “willingness” to cover certain stories, he added.”