Danny Tommo in custody ahead of trial next year accused of slashing Channel boat
Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas – known to his supporters as Danny Tommo – has been remanded into custody for more than five months as he faces trial next year accused of criminal damage of a boat in the English Channel.
The 37-year-old, whose address was withheld by the court at a previous hearing, appeared via video link from HMP Winchester for a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday wearing a grey T-shirt and holding a copy of the Holy Bible. Thomas 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. The maximum sentence if convicted of criminal damage valued at more than £5,000 is 10 years’ imprisonment, according to the Sentencing Council. But if the damage is valued lower than £5,000 the maximum sentence could be a fine and three months’ jail time. At Thomas’s first appearance at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday, it was heard the cost of the damage to the vessel was unknown to be above or below £5,000 because the boat had been taken back to France. Judge James Newton-Price KC declined to grant the defendant bail and remanded him in custody until his trial which was given a provisional start date of March 1 2027. 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.” Thomas clutched the bible to his face as the decision was made. 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”. Mr Pentol added: “He is prepared to put himself in that position to be able to return to his family today.” He described the allegation against his client as “politically charged and fundamentally flawed”. Mr Pentol added: “The court is dealing with a man charged with criminal damage simplicita and an offence of failing to comply with a Section 49 notice regarding the key to a phone. “He is not charged and has never been charged with widespread public disorder.” 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.” A handful of supporters waited outside the court to hear the outcome of the hearing.
Published: by Radio NewsHub