The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been found guilty of harassing two Daily Mail journalists and causing them to fear violence.

The verdict follows a trial at Southwark Crown Court, where jurors heard he hired private investigators to locate their addresses after a report about his holiday in Cyprus in August 2024.

Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two journalists from the Daily Mail and MailOnline, following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.

The 43-year-old activist was convicted on two counts of harassment causing fear of violence against investigative reporter Andrew Young and Daily Mail editor Jacob Dirnhuber. Jurors reached majority verdicts of 10 to two on both charges after deliberating for 11 hours and 25 minutes.

The case centres on Robinson’s reaction to an article published by the newspaper in August 2024, which reported on his holiday in Cyprus during the unrest that followed the murders of three girls in Southport. The article accused him of “stoking riots from his sunbed” while he posted about the unfolding situation on social media.

Following the publication, Robinson criticised the journalists involved in the report on X, formerly known as Twitter. The court heard that he later hired private investigators to find the home addresses of Young and Dirnhuber, as well as Daily Mail editor-in-chief Ted Verity.

Robinson was accused of making threatening comments towards the journalists. During a telephone call with Young on 5 August 2024, he allegedly told the reporter, “I'm coming to get you.” He also allegedly sent Dirnhuber a direct message stating, “I'll be knocking at your door.”

The court heard that photographs of Dirnhuber outside his home were subsequently posted on Robinson’s X account, alongside cropped images of Young’s wife and children. The publication of the images and the wider campaign of harassment caused serious concern for the journalists and their families.

Young was provided with a close protection officer by the Daily Mail, while Dirnhuber had to move house because of fears surrounding the alleged harassment. Another Daily Mail correspondent, George Odling, also reportedly felt the need to leave his family home after becoming concerned about the attention surrounding his colleagues.

During the trial, Robinson denied that hiring private investigators was intended to intimidate the journalists. He told the court he wanted to put “pressure” on them, but rejected the suggestion that he had intended to cause fear of violence. In relation to a video message directed at the reporters, he said he was “giving a warning”, adding: “I'm not coming to beat [them] up. They know that.”

Jurors ultimately rejected his defence and found him guilty on both counts.

Following the verdict, the Crown Prosecution Service’s head of special crime and counter-terrorism, Frank Ferguson, said Robinson had “weaponised social media” in his campaign against the journalists.

He said:

“The evidence in this case showed that he targeted the victims directly and indirectly through social media and by telephone. He also published images relating not only to them, but also their families.”

Ferguson added:

“Journalists play an important role in a democratic society and should be able to carry out their professional duties without being subjected to harassment.”

The Daily Mail also welcomed the verdict, stating:

“We welcome today's verdict and are pleased that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon has been found guilty of harassment causing fear of violence to two of our journalists.”

The newspaper described his behaviour as “reprehensible” and said it had serious consequences for the reporters and their families, adding that it stood by its journalists and their right to report on matters of public interest.

Robinson was granted bail ahead of his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for 16 December. He could face up to 10 years in prison for the offences, although the final sentence will be determined by the court.

The verdict has also prompted reactions on social media, with some people calling for a prison sentence. One commenter wrote:

“Send the man to jail and keep him there.”

Another said:

“His supporters swear he’s never done anything wrong in his life though… yeah right.”

A third added:

“Things never age well for these hateful people do they!!?”

Robinson has criticised the outcome on social media, describing the verdict as “just insane” after leaving court.

The case has renewed discussion about the consequences of targeting journalists over their reporting, particularly when personal information and images of family members are shared online. The sentencing hearing in December will determine the consequences Robinson faces following his conviction.