Activist Daniel Thomas Admits Criminal Damage After Slashing Dinghy in English Channel

According to BBC UK, Daniel Thomas, who is known as Danny Tommo, has admitted to the charge of criminal damage after using a knife to slash a dinghy in the English Channel. The 37-year-old changed his plea to the single charge while appearing via video link from prison at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday.

The court had previously heard that Thomas took a boat into the English Channel on September 22 and observed migrant occupants of a dinghy being assisted by the RNLI, Border Force, and the French Coastguard. Thomas admitted to using a knife on the dinghy, which had French personnel aboard.

Prosecutor Kevin Lucie informed Basingstoke Magistrates' Court in September that the defendant directed his vessel toward an empty rigid inflatable boat (RIB) that was adrift. The court heard that Thomas then armed himself with a knife as rescue crews approached the dinghy and a Frenchman boarded from a rescue vessel.

Following the slashing of the boat with the knife, Thomas was heard on a livestream stating, "This is what needs to happen to everyone in these boats," and also saying, "Right, you're on English territory, This is England, this is not France anymore." He further stated, "Get off the boat, you have time to get off the boat. This is not France. Take them back."

After pleading guilty to the criminal damage charge, Thomas maintained his plea of not guilty regarding the allegation of failing to disclose the pin to police. Thomas, whose address was not disclosed by the court at a prior hearing, is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on November 18. The Sentencing Council indicates that the maximum penalty for a conviction for criminal damage valued over £5,000 is 10 years' imprisonment, while if the damage is valued under £5,000, the maximum sentence could be a fine or three months in jail. Thomas will also receive credit for his guilty plea.