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Mike Amesbury: MP's prison term suspended on appeal Mike Amesbury: MP's prison term suspended on appeal
(32 minutes later)
The MP has been sitting as an Independent since his suspension by Labour Mike Amesbury was sent to prison immediately after he was sentenced on Monday
Cheshire MP Mike Amesbury, who repeatedly punched a constituent during a row in the street, has been released from prison after a judge agreed to suspend his 10-week sentence for two years. MP Mike Amesbury, who admitted repeatedly punching a constituent in the street, has had his 10-week prison sentence suspended following an appeal.
The Runcorn and Helsby MP, who admitted assault, had been sent straight to jail after he was sentenced at Chester Magistrates' Court on Monday. Amesbury, who had the Labour whip removed after October's assault in Cheshire, appealed against the sentence he received on Monday. A judge said that while its length had been "spot on", it should be suspended.
Hearing Amesbury's appeal, a judge at Chester Crown Court said that while the length of the sentence had been "spot on", it should be suspended. Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates at Chester Crown Court, also ordered the Runcorn and Helsby MP to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work
Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett also ordered Amesbury to carry out 200 hours' unpaid work, undertake a 12-month alcohol monitoring programme, go on an anger management course and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work. Amesbury must also undertake a 12-month alcohol monitoring programme, go on an anger management course and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work.
Amesbury pleaded guilty in January to assaulting Paul Fellows, 45, following a row near a taxi rank in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October. Mike Amesbury arrived for his appeal hearing in handcuffs
His sentence still leaves the 55-year-old Independent MP - who was suspended by Labour bosses after video footage emerged of the assault - at risk of being ousted if his constituents back a recall petition calling for a by-election. Amesbury pleaded guilty in January to assaulting Paul Fellows, 45, following a row near a taxi rank in Frodsham in the early hours of 26 October.
The footage, played again in court, showed Amesbury punching Mr Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground. His sentence still leaves the 55-year-old, who now sits as an Independent MP, at risk of being ousted if his constituents back a recall petition calling for a by-election.
He then punched him at least five more times and swore at him. The footage, which was played in court, showed Amesbury punching Mr Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground.
The politician then punched him at least five more times and swore at him.
Amesbury was then heard saying: "You won't threaten your MP again will you?"Amesbury was then heard saying: "You won't threaten your MP again will you?"
'Disgraceful' 'Shouting and screaming'
Judge Everett told Amesbury the facts showed him "in a truly unfavourable light" and, as an MP, he "should be showing an example".Judge Everett told Amesbury the facts showed him "in a truly unfavourable light" and, as an MP, he "should be showing an example".
He said he could not ignore the MP's "heavy drinking and fighting".He said he could not ignore the MP's "heavy drinking and fighting".
Amesbury arrived at court for his appeal hearing in a prison van and wore handcuffs as he was led into the building.
The court heard that, in a prepared statement given in a police interview, Amesbury initially claimed he was approached by a man "shouting and screaming" about local and national matters.
The MP said that because he was terrified and the other man's "arms were swinging", he felt he had no option but to "defend" himself.
Judge Everett told him that CCTV evidence showed a very different story.
"In reality, you told the police a pack of lies. Nothing more, nothing less."