Far-right activist Daniel Thomas – known to his supporters as Danny Tommo – has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage after he allegedly slashed a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board.
The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday after being charged on Thursday night.
Phone PIN charge also denied
He also denied failing to disclose the PIN to his phone to police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
He was supported by fellow far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, who arrived at the court on Friday morning and sat in the public gallery.
Court hears boat leaking air
The court heard a crew member was on the boat whilst it was heard leaking air.
Prosecutor Kevin Lucie, outlining the facts of the criminal damage charge, 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.”
Trial hearing set for Portsmouth
Thomas has stated he would like a crown court trial. A hearing will take place in Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday.
A dozen journalists were in the courtroom for the hearing, while a police officer stood in the public gallery.
On Thursday evening several hundred people, many wearing black, gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke believing that Thomas was inside.
Dozens of police officers could be seen monitoring the group outside the investigation centre as the protest continued for several hours.
