Police Believed Stephen Yaxley-Lennon Had Terrorism-Related Information on Mobile Device, Court Hears.

Prosecutors told the tribunal that police had reasonable suspicions indicating Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's phone held material related to acts of terrorism when they stopped him in the previous year as he tried to leave the UK.

Denial to Give Device Pin

The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, reportedly refused to hand over his phone pin to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Eurotunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, state lawyer Jo Morris stated that the anti-terror authorities employed by police are designed to allow information collection. She claimed that police had valid grounds to think the defendant continued to have connections to far-right activists, even after the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his affiliation of the English Defence League has ceased, his views have not disappeared. He is recognized for having those opinions and therefore it is a valid concern to believe that on his phone there could be information pertaining to terrorist acts,” she informed Westminster magistrates court.

Morris continued, “His beliefs – to which he is allowed – were not the focus for their attention on July 28. It was his association to others who are possibly involved in prohibited activities.”

Details of the Stop

The activist had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a acquaintance and was on his way to the holiday destination of the Spanish coast with over £13,000 in a carry-on, the trial heard.

The money was reportedly from a donation drive to cover expenses from organizing a major rally that occurred the previous day in Trafalgar Square.

Defense Arguments

Robinson, who disputes non-compliance with anti-terror laws during the incident on July 28 of the previous year, could receive up to 90 days in jail or a potential £2,500 fine if found guilty.

His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, said in final arguments that anti-terror officers who detained Robinson had engaged in a speculative search” and that he had been unlawfully detained.

Citing evidence from officers who stated they called other organizations” after detaining him, Williamson said this was a allusion to the security services and that lack of proof had been presented from the security service to indicate his defendant was a terrorist.

He asserted the police intervention was “discriminatory” because it was based to a large extent on a personal attribute.” He said that the “predominant influence” on the decision to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an special authority that must be carefully regulated” to try to find out details that was already known. The barrister suggested that Robinson traveled to Benidorm regularly, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Legal Costs and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his legal costs in the case were being covered by Elon Musk, the proprietor of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an supporter of the campaigner and lately addressed a rally organized by him in the capital via a online broadcast.

A proposed date of next Tuesday for the verdict was altered by the magistrate, Sam Goozee, after the defense explained his client was due to be a invitee of the Israeli government from Wednesday and would not return until October 25.

{“I wouldn’t trouble you if this was a trip to Benidorm. I would ask him to rearrange it but he is a guest of a foreign government,” said the barrister.

The judge announced he would hand down his ruling on the morning of 4 November.