Daniel Thomas, 37, has been charged with criminal damage after footage allegedly showed him slashing a dinghy in the English Channel. He faces an additional charge for refusing to disclose his phone PIN and has been remanded in custody ahead of a videolink hearing at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court. Around 50 migrants were transferred from the dinghy to RNLI lifeboats and later to a UK Border Force vessel. Hundreds of supporters briefly protested outside the police investigation centre; prosecutors say there is sufficient evidence to proceed and stressed Thomas's right to a fair trial.
Daniel Thomas Charged After Video Appears To Show Dinghy Slashed In English Channel
Demonstrators were heard chanting "free DT" and "we want our Danny back" [BBC]
Daniel Thomas, a 37-year-old anti-migrant campaigner known to supporters as "Danny Tommo," has been charged with criminal damage after video footage appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy in the English Channel.
Hampshire Police said Thomas has also been charged with failing to disclose the PIN for his phone. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court via videolink on Friday.
Police said the arrest followed damage to a boat in the Channel on Tuesday that had "an emergency responder on board." The force is examining video of the incident, which was reportedly live-streamed. A French coastguard official was said to be on board when Thomas appeared to attack the vessel.
Daniel Thomas, known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, is due to appear in court via videolink on Friday [Getty Images]
Some 50 migrants who had travelled from Normandy in the dinghy were transferred to RNLI lifeboats and then moved onto a UK Border Force vessel to be taken to Dover for processing.
Supporters Protest Outside Police Centre
On Thursday evening, several hundred people gathered outside a Hampshire police investigation centre in Basingstoke, believing Thomas was being held inside. The demonstration — which appeared to remain peaceful — began shortly before 18:30 BST. Protesters stood on the road outside the building and chanted slogans such as "Free DT" and "We want our Danny back." The crowd began to disperse at about 21:45 BST after learning that charges had been brought.
Chris Derrick, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: "Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings. We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial."
The charges do not amount to a conviction. Thomas is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
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