Far-right campaigner Daniel Thomas – known to his followers as Danny Tommo – has been charged with criminal damage following footage that appeared to show him slashing a boat in the English Channel with a first responder on board.
Charges and court appearance
The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was also charged on Thursday night with refusing to provide police with his phone's Pin code, an offence under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. He was remanded into custody to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday, Hampshire police said.
The force stated: "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."
Protest outside investigation centre
Several hundred individuals, predominantly dressed in black, assembled outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday night, under the belief that Thomas was being held within. Arriving collectively just shy of 6.30pm, they positioned themselves on the road outside the facility and commenced chanting "free DT". While the majority remained unmasked, some attendees were observed wearing face coverings.
Numerous police officers were visible overseeing the gathering outside the investigation centre throughout the multi-hour protest. The demonstration remained orderly, with participants stepping aside from the carriageway to accommodate passing vehicles.
