Danny Tommo denied bail and remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to 'slashing migrant dinghy' in the Channel

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 September 2026 · last updated 26 September 2026.

Daniel Thomas, 37 — known as Danny Tommo — dabbed his eyes with a tissue at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Friday before being remanded in custody, having pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and refusing to hand police the PIN to his phone. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, watched from the public gallery alongside Thomas's son. Thomas elected for a crown court trial and will next appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 29 September.

Prosecutors told the court Thomas armed himself with a knife and slashed an adrift rescue vessel while shouting: 'This is what needs to happen to everyone in these boats.'

A crew member was on board the boat as it was heard leaking air, with RNLI, Border Force and French coastguard all present during the incident on 22 September.

Around 300 supporters, mostly dressed in black and carrying Union flags, had massed outside Basingstoke police HQ the night before, chanting 'Free DT'.