Source : Perth Now news
British far-right political activist Tommy Robinson left a voicemail for the editor-in-chief of the Daily Mail saying he would “make you famous and your families”, a court has heard.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is on trial in London for allegedly harassing journalists Jacob Dirnhuber and Andrew Young, causing them fear of violence, in August 2024.
Jurors on the case at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday were played a voicemail left on Ted Verity’s phone, which said: “If it’s legitimate journalism then expect me to come knocking,” adding: “I’ve already located every f***ing one of you.”
The court heard witness statements of the two alleged victims, in which Dirnhuber was left “scared to go to my own house” and freelance journalist Young felt his family was under threat.
Dirnhuber, an editor at the Daily Mail and MailOnline, said he feared being “intercepted” by a supporter of Robinson.
Young said he feared the defendant’s followers would “seek revenge on me” following stories published about him being in Cyprus during unrest across the country after three girls were murdered in Southport.
Another Daily Mail journalist, George Odling, said in his witness statement that he, his wife and young child had to leave their home through a neighbour’s house because they feared being followed by Robinson’s supporters
The court previously heard Robinson used “bully-boy, intimidatory tactics” to frighten the journalists with a series of posts and direct messages on social media platform X.
Robinson, 43, who founded the English Defence League, entered not guilty pleas to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence in July, 2025.
The court heard the activist told police his hotel in Cyprus was “overrun with news crews” following stories published in the Daily Mail and MailOnline.
He is accused of harassing the journalists through X posts and direct messages, and an alleged telephone call on August 5, 2024, in which he is accused of telling Young he would visit his house, saying: “I’m coming to get you”.
One of the messages Robinson is accused of sending Dirnhuber on X on the same day allegedly said: “I’ll be knocking at your door”.
An image from Young’s ring doorbell camera was shown to the jury which captured a grey Audi that had been parked outside his house shortly before he returned from Cyprus.
“I was worried and concerned, I felt that my family was under threat and I was fearful of what might happen next,” his statement read.
Jurors heard the voicemail left on Verity’s phone, in which Robinson said: “You’ve obviously destroyed my children’s holiday in the cost of thousands and I’ll give you an opportunity to sort it out because at the minute I’m looking at you and the other two journalists.
“If it’s fair game then, I’m a journalist. I’m going to cover you, and your families like you’ve just done to mine, yeah.”
“Expect me to come to come knocking.
“I’ve already located every f***ing one of you.
“I’ve got pictures of everyone here that can go in my story … I’ll make you famous and your families because that’s what you’ve done to me.”
Young spoke of how Robinson became “increasingly menacing”, calling his personal number, “raising his voice, swearing and shouting”.
“He said that he would be coming round to my house to see me and that I would have to move house.”
The trial, expected to last five days, continues.
