Daniel Thomas, 37, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court today, Friday 25 September 2026, facing charges linked to the slashing of an inflatable boat in the English Channel earlier this week.
The activist has been charged with one count of criminal damage. Prosecutors allege the incident occurred on Tuesday, 22 September, and involved a dinghy that was carrying an emergency responder at the time the damage was caused.
In addition to the criminal damage charge, Thomas faces a second charge of failing to disclose his mobile phone PIN to authorities. This charge was brought under Section 53 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), which allows police to require the disclosure of passwords or encryption keys during a criminal investigation.
Following the maritime incident, Thomas was arrested on Wednesday evening. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary stated that the arrest took place at a petrol station the day after the incident.
The court appearance follows significant activity outside the police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening. Several hundred supporters of the defendant gathered at the site, with reports of crowds chanting “Free DT” while the investigation was ongoing.
The core of the prosecution’s case relates to the safety of those on board the inflatable vessel. It has been verified that an emergency responder was on the craft when it was allegedly slashed.
The incident has also triggered wider police activity across the south coast. Thomas remains the central figure in the proceedings regarding the specific damage to the vessel.