Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, was pictured dabbing his eyes with a tissue in court as he was refused bail over allegations that he slashed a dinghy in the English Channel.

The 37-year-old, who founded the anti-migration group Patriot Platform, appeared before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday after being arrested on suspicion of destroying or damaging a ship and criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

Thomas, who is of no fixed address, was also charged with failing to disclose the PIN to the phone he allegedly used to livestream his arrest at a BP garage, Hampshire Police said.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges during the 15-minute hearing.

A court sketch showed the father-of-four dabbing his eyes with a tissue during proceedings.

Prosecutor Kevin Lucie told the court that at around 4.30pm on September 22, Thomas livestreamed himself from a boat in the Channel on his social media platform.

The broadcast was shown to a “significantly large audience” and depicted migrants crossing the English Channel, the court heard.

Mr Lucie alleged that Thomas then slashed a boat and said: “This is what needs to happen to everyone in these boats.”

Thomas was also alleged to have said: “Right, you’re on English territory. This is England. This is not France anymore. Get off the boat. You have time to get off the boat.”

“This is not France. Take them back,” he allegedly added.

A video appearing to show Thomas puncturing a dinghy was previously circulated online. An emergency responder was on board the vessel at the time, according to the allegations.

Defending Thomas, Simon Pentol KC reminded the court that his client “is not charged with an offence of political activism”.

Mr Pentol said Thomas was a professional roofer who lives with his long-standing partner, who is pregnant, and their four children.

Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram said he was “satisfied there is a real possibility of an immediate custodial sentence in this case”.

Thomas was subsequently remanded in custody after Mr Lucie argued that releasing him on bail would present a “significant risk to public safety”.

The prosecutor told the court that Thomas had been instrumental in organising anti-migrant protests along the south coast and could continue arranging demonstrations if released.

Mr Pentol KC said Thomas had agreed to a number of bail conditions, including wearing an electronic tag, observing a curfew and staying at least two miles from the coastline.

The court nevertheless refused bail.

Thomas’s detention prompted around 200 supporters to gather outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke, believing he was being held inside.

Many of the protesters were dressed in black and chanted “Free DT” in support of the Patriot Platform founder. The crowd dispersed several hours later after Thomas was charged.

The demonstration followed recent protests over small-boat arrivals in Dover and Portsmouth, where groups of protesters blocked local streets. Government ministers have described those demonstrations as “thuggish”.

Far-right activist Steven Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was pictured outside Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning ahead of the hearing and watched proceedings from the public gallery.

Thomas will next appear at Portsmouth Crown Court onTuesday.

He denies the allegations against him.