Danny Tommo pleads guilty after slashing migrant boat in Channel

Danny Tommo has pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court to criminal damage after he slashed a migrant boat with a knife in the English Channel.

The activist, whose real name is Daniel Thomas, had previously pleaded not guilty to the incident.

He changed his plea when appearing in court via video link this morning.

Thomas had been accused of slashing a boat in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board on September 22.

Prosecutor Kevin Lucie told Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court in September Thomas had instructed his boat to be steered near the dinghy, which was being assisted by the RNLI, Border Force and the French Coastguard.

Mr Lucie said the dingy was adrift, and Thomas approached it with a knife as rescue personnel approached, and a French coastguard got on board.

He then slashed the boat, Mr Lucie said, before declaring: "This is what needs to happen to everyone in these boats. Right, you’re on English territory, This is England, this is not France anymore.

"Get off the boat, you have time to get off the boat. This is not France. Take them back."

Thomas also faces a further charge of failing to disclose the Pin to his phone to police, under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

On Thursday, he reiterated his plea of not guilty to the second charge.

Thomas could face a maximum improsonment of up to 10 years for criminal damage if the damage caused is in excess of £5,000, according to the Sentencing Council.

If it is less, the sentencing could be significantally lower.

The value of the boat slashed by Thomas is unknown, as it was taken back to France, the court heard in September.

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