Daniel Thomas pleads not guilty to criminal damage charge
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas appeared at Basingstoke magistrates court and pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal damage. The charge follows the circulation of a video that allegedly shows him slashing a dinghy in the English Channel.
First reported 1 hour ago · latest update 58 minutes ago
The court heard a crew member was on the boat while 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 any more."
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram said the case could have been heard in the magistrates' court but Mr Thomas elected to be tried at crown court.
Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was among those in the public gallery.
Some supporters also gathered outside the court.
Posting on social media after the hearing, Yaxley-Lennon said: "Danny is being remanded to prison.
"His legal team will now prepare to fight at the crown court for his bail."
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Daniel Thomas pleads not guilty after dinghy slashed
Daniel Thomas is accused of criminal damage after a video appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy.
1 hour agoDaniel Thomas pleads not guilty after alleged dinghy slashing in Channel
Thomas appeared at Basingstoke magistrates court on Friday after being charged with criminal damageThe far-right activist Daniel Thomas has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage after he allegedly slashed a boat in the Channel with an emergency responder on board.Thomas, 37, of no fixed address, appeared at Basingstoke magistrates court on Friday after being charged on Thursday night. He also denied failing to disclose the pin to his phone to police, under section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Continue reading...
58 minutes ago · PA Media