Daniel Thomas, the leader of the Patriot Platform, has been refused bail by Portsmouth Crown Court while facing charges linked to the alleged damage of a dinghy in the English Channel.
Thomas, 37, who is widely known by his supporters as Danny Tommo, appeared via videolink at the hearing. He faces accusations of criminal damage after video evidence seemed to capture him cutting a small boat with a knife. Additionally, he is charged with failing to reveal the passcode to his mobile phone.
The arrest followed a livestream broadcast on 22 September depicting the incident. During the court appearance, Thomas wore a grey t-shirt and held a copy of the Bible but did not enter a plea before the crown court.
Earlier this week, he had pleaded not guilty to both charges at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court. The court also confirmed that his residential address remains withheld following a previous hearing.
A provisional date for his trial has been set for 1 March. Consequently, Thomas has been remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
I never liked his methods, but remanded in custody without plea still feels harsh. March trial is ages away though.
Wait, is he really charged with hiding his phone passcode? That feels like an overreach by prosecutors chasing a political figure.
This highlights the tension between protest rights and criminal damage. The bail denial seems proportionate given the evidence shown.