Anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas has appeared before magistrates charged with criminal damage.

The 37-year-old, known to his supporters as Danny Tommo, was arrested after a video appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy in the English Channel with an emergency responder on board.

Thomas, who appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court via videolink, is also charged with failing to disclose the PIN to his phone.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges and will appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 29th September.

Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was among those in the public gallery.

Some supporters also gathered outside the court.

Hampshire Police previously said an arrest had been made after a "boat that had an emergency responder on board" was damaged in the Channel on Tuesday.

Several hundred people gathered outside a police investigation centre in Basingstoke on Thursday evening, believing that Thomas was inside.

The demonstration, which seemed to pass off peacefully, began shortly before 18:30 BST. Protesters stood on the road outside the building and could be heard chanting "free DT".

The crowd began to disperse at about 21:45 BST after they learned of the charges against Thomas.