Anti-migrant activist Danny Tommo has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage after being accused of slashing a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board.
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, arrived at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning to see the hearing.
Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, also pleaded not guilty to not disclosing the PIN to his phone to police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
The father-of-four was denied bail and stated he would like a crown court trial, with a hearing set to take place in Portsmouth Crown Court next Tuesday.
He was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue at one point during the hearing.
The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, had been charged with criminal damage on Thursday.
Prosecutor Kevin Lucie told the court that Thomas slashed an adrift boat with a knife and said: “You are on English territory. This is England. This is not France anymore.”
The court also heard a crew member was on the boat while it was heard leaking air.
A dozen journalists were in the courtroom, and Mr Robinson was seated in the public gallery. Police officers were stationed in public and in the seated waiting area outside.
Chris Derrick from the Crown Prosecution Service said on Thursday evening: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Daniel Thomas following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary into an incident on Tuesday 22 September.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.”
Hundreds had gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening in protest of his arrest.
A group of around 300 people, which mainly consisted of men wearing black, were seen carrying Union flags and chanting “free DT’’.
Around a dozen police officers were at the scene monitoring the demonstration until his charge was announced and the protesters dispersed.
Hampshire Police said on Thursday: “A man has been charged in connection with an incident that occurred in the English Channel on Tuesday 22 September.
“The charges follow an allegation made to police that damage had been caused to a boat in the Channel whilst an emergency responder was on board.
“He was remanded in custody to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday 25 September) via videolink.”
