Tommy Robinson ‘threatened people and acted like a bully’, jury told

The prosecution alleges that Tommy Robinson used online posts and direct warnings to pressure two Daily Mail journalists, Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. The case matters because the conduct is alleged to have crossed from public criticism into harassment causing fear of violence.

Robinson posted a video saying he would find the journalists. He said he had obtained information about where they and their families lived. He also shared images of their homes and partial photos of loved ones, while telling them to follow “men’s rules”.

The prosecution called the conduct “bullyboy and intimidatory”. Holt said Robinson’s words showed “straightforward retaliation”. Police were called several times after the journalists became concerned. Robinson denies both charges and said he had been panicked by a Daily Mail article about his family.

“Harassment causing fear of violence” is a criminal offence involving repeated conduct that causes another person to fear violence. In established UK law, the conduct normally must happen on at least two occasions, and the accused must know, or reasonably be expected to know, that it would cause that fear.

The article does not give the full legal definition. It does describe the prosecution’s allegation: Robinson targeted two journalists with threats, home details and family references. Holt argued that this conduct could make them fear violence, especially because Robinson had a large following and some supporters were described as unpredictable.

The offence therefore focuses on the effect and context of the conduct, not only the speaker’s claimed intention. Robinson denies the charges. The jury must decide whether the prosecution has proved the required elements, while the defence argues that his actions were justified by genuine fear.

The scale matters because a threatening message can reach far beyond its original target. The prosecution said Robinson had close to 1 million followers on X at one point. It also said some supporters were “unpredictable”, making the possible consequences of his posts significant.

The case involves two Daily Mail journalists: Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber. Robinson faces two counts of harassment causing fear of violence. The court also heard about four threat-to-life warning notices given to Robinson by police in 2018, 2019 and 2024.

These figures describe the setting around the allegations, not a finding that every follower supported or acted on the posts. The trial was continuing, and Robinson denied the charges. The jury must assess the alleged messages, the journalists’ reactions and the surrounding evidence before reaching a verdict.

Publishing information about journalists’ homes and families can make a threat feel immediate and personal. The prosecution argued that such details showed Robinson could locate people close to the journalists. That matters because fear of violence may arise from the combination of words, personal information and surrounding circumstances.

Robinson posted a video saying he would find the journalists and had obtained details of where they and their families lived. He shared images of their homes and partial photos of loved ones. Holt also highlighted unpleasant online comments from supporters and Robinson’s words about “men’s rules”.

The prosecution said police had to be called several times because of the journalists’ concern. Holt described the posts as retaliation rather than a simple response to reporting. Robinson said he had been panicked after a Mail article identified a Cyprus hotel and published a photo of his ex-wife.

The alleged consequence was not limited to online disagreement. The prosecution said Robinson’s posts caused enough concern for police to be called on several occasions. It also pointed to unpleasant comments made online by some supporters after his posts.

Holt linked those reactions to Robinson’s reach and influence. Robinson had close to 1 million followers on X at one point, and Holt said some supporters were unpredictable. The journalists were Andrew Young and Jacob Dirnhuber, who were working for the Daily Mail.

The legal consequence is the criminal trial itself. Robinson is charged with two counts of harassment causing fear of violence and denies them. The trial was continuing. The jury must decide whether the alleged conduct caused the required fear and whether it amounted to an offence, rather than lawful public criticism.

The prosecution’s central alternative was direct, lawful communication. Ben Holt said Robinson could have asked for the Daily Mail image to be taken down. He could have raised his concerns with the journalists or the newspaper’s editor without publishing personal details or threatening retaliation.

Holt said Robinson did contact the journalists and the Daily Mail’s editor through calls and messages, but never asked for the image to be removed. Instead, the prosecution said he shared images of homes and family members and used warnings such as, “You are coming for me, I am coming for you.”

This contrast shaped the prosecution’s argument about intention. Holt described the conduct as “straightforward retaliation”, not a focused complaint about journalism. The defence said Robinson’s fear was real and that he had shown restraint. The jury must assess which account is supported by the evidence.

The balance depends on separating criticism of journalism from intimidation of journalists. People can publicly challenge reporting, explain their objections and defend themselves. But criminal law can intervene when a course of conduct is alleged to make someone fear violence, especially when personal details and family references are involved.

Here, the prosecution says Robinson retaliated after Daily Mail reporting by identifying journalists’ homes and families, threatening to find them and sharing images. The defence says his fear was real because an article identified a Cyprus hotel and published a photo of his ex-wife. It argues that his response was reasonable.

The jury must weigh both claims against the evidence. It must decide whether the alleged conduct caused fear of violence and met the legal test for harassment. Robinson denies the charges. The trial was continuing, so the article records arguments, not a final finding.