Anti-migrant activist Danny Tommo charged with criminal damage over 'boat slashing' in the Channel
The charges follow an allegation made to police that damage had been caused to a boat in the Channel whilst an emergency responder was on board.
A man has been charged in connection with an incident that occurred in the English Channel on Tuesday 22 September.
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Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, aged 37 and of no fixed abode, has been charged with one count of criminal damage.
He has also been charged with a further offence under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), for allegedly failing to comply with a notice to disclose a phone PIN number to police.
The charges follow an allegation made to police that damage had been caused to a boat in the Channel whilst an emergency responder was on board.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday 25 September).
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Several hundred people, largely wearing black, gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening, believing that Mr Thomas was inside.
They arrived together at just before 6.30pm and stood on the road outside the investigation centre and began chanting “free DT”.
Most were not masked, though some could be seen wearing face coverings.
Dozens of police officers could be seen monitoring the group outside the investigation centre as the protest continued for several hours.
The demonstration was peaceful, with the group moving out of the road to make way for approaching traffic.
On Thursday evening, Chris Derrick from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Daniel Thomas following an investigation by Hampshire Constabulary into an incident on Tuesday September 22.
“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.”