Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has been remanded into custody as he faces trial next year.
The 37-year-old, known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, is accused of criminal damage to a boat in the English Channel.
He appeared via video link from prison for a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday.
Mr 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 the police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
A provisional trial date was set for March 1 next year at Tuesday’s hearing.
He wore a grey T-shirt and held a copy of the Holy Bible during today’s video appearance.
The court withheld his address at a previous hearing.
Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has been remanded into custody as he faces trial next year
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GETTYThe court heard it is alleged Mr Thomas used his social media platform to livestream himself from the English Channel at around 4.30pm on September 22, broadcasting to a large audience.
He is accused of slashing a boat that had been used by migrants, adrift in the sea, with a knife when a rescue crew member was on board at the time.
He is also alleged to have said “This is what needs to happen” and “This is England, this isn’t France any more”.
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”.
Mr Pentol added: “He is prepared to put himself in that position to be able to return to his family today.”
Police stand at the entrance to the Portsmouth Crown Court in Portsmouth
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GETTY
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.
The judge added: “I have set dates for service of evidence.
“At that hearing on November 12 you will appear by the court videolink system and your counsel, Mr Pentol, I have given permission to appear by videolink as well.
“I have set a trial date, provisionally at least, for March 1 next year and custody time limits are March 25.”
A statement from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary released last Thursday confirmed Mr Thomas’s arrest.
Daniel Thomas, known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, is accused of criminal damage to a boat in the English Channel
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GETTY
They said: “A man has been arrested after a boat that had an emergency responder on board was damaged in the English Channel.
“We received a report of the incident on Tuesday evening (22 September).
“Last night (Wednesday 23 September), a 37-year-old man, of no fixed abode, was arrested on suspicion of destroying ships or fixed platforms or endangering their safety under Section 11 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, criminal damage, criminal damage with intent to endanger life, and conduct endangering ships, structures or individuals under Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
“He remains in custody at this time.”
A handful of supporters waited outside the court to hear the outcome of the hearing.
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