Daniel Thomas Pleads Not Guilty After Dinghy Slashed in Channel
BBC News reports that Daniel Thomas has pleaded not guilty to criminal damage after a video emerged showing him allegedly slashing a dinghy in the English Channel with a knife. The incident was livestreamed on Tuesday.
Thomas, known by his supporters as Danny Tommo, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court via videolink and also faces a charge of failing to disclose the PIN to his phone. He entered pleas of not guilty to both charges and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court on 29 September.
During the hearing, the court learned that a crew member was present on the boat when it started leaking air. Prosecutor Kevin Lucie described Thomas as slashing an adrift boat with a knife and declaring: "You are on English territory. This is England. This is not France any more."
The case could have been heard in magistrates' court, but Thomas elected to be tried at crown court.
Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was among those present in the public gallery. Some supporters gathered outside the court as well. After the hearing, Yaxley-Lennon posted on social media that Thomas would remain in custody while his legal team prepares for his bail hearing at the crown court.
Previously, Hampshire Police had stated an arrest was made after a "boat with an emergency responder on board" was damaged in the Channel on Tuesday.
On Thursday evening, several hundred people gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke, believing Thomas was being held there. The gathering appeared peaceful, with protesters chanting "free DT" before dispersing around 21:45 after learning of the charges against him.