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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
[email protected] | Marco Suttie

Far-right agitator Danny Tommo denied bail after 'slashing migrant dinghy'

Media, police officers and supporters outside Basingstoke Magistrates' Court, Hampshire, where far-right activist Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, appeared charged with criminal damage and failing to disclose the PIN to his phone, after he was (Image: Jordan Pettitt / PA)

FAR-RIGHT agitator Daniel Thomas – known to his supporters as Danny Tommo – has been remanded into custody after he allegedly slashed a boat in the English Channel while an emergency responder was on board.

The 37-year-old, whose address was withheld by the court at a previous hearing, appeared via video-link from prison for a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday wearing a grey T-shirt and holding a copy of the Bible.

He had already pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal damage after he allegedly slashed a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board on September 22.

He has also denied failing to disclose the Pin to his phone to police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

A provisional trial date was set for March 1 2027 at Tuesday’s hearing.

Judge James Newton-Price KC declined to grant the defendant bail and remanded him in custody.

On his decision to refuse bail, the judge told the court: “I am not concerned with the political issues or motivations in this matter and I put them aside in deciding this matter.”

Simon Pentol KC, defending Thomas, had proposed a “package of bail conditions” as an alternative to his client being remanded in custody.

He said that if the defendant was granted bail “he would be in no doubt whatsoever that one foot or thought – if that is what it’s coming to – or gesture or comment out of place would render him liable to be in breach of his bail”.

Pentol added: “He is prepared to put himself in that position to be able to return to his family today.”

Judge Newton-Price told the defendant: “I have adjourned this case to the next hearing, which will take place on Thursday, November 12. I have set dates for service of evidence.

“At that hearing on November 12 you will appear by the court video-link system and your counsel, Mr Pentol, I have given permission to appear by video-link as well.

“I have set a trial date, provisionally at least, for March 1 next year and custody time limits are March 25.”

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