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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) | |
| Mike Amesbury was sent to prison immediately after he was sentenced on Monday | Mike Amesbury was sent to prison immediately after he was sentenced on Monday |
| MP Mike Amesbury, who admitted repeatedly punching a constituent in the street, has had his 10-week prison sentence suspended following an appeal. | 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 assaulted Paul Fellows, 45, following a row in Frodsham, Cheshire, last year and was jailed by magistrates on Monday. | The Runcorn and Helsby MP assaulted Paul Fellows, 45, following a row in Frodsham, Cheshire, last year and was jailed by magistrates on Monday. |
| Amesbury, who had the Labour whip removed in October, launched an appeal and a judge said that while the length of the sentence had been "spot on", it should be suspended for two years. | |
| Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates at Chester Crown Court, also ordered Amesbury to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. | Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates at Chester Crown Court, also ordered Amesbury to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. |
| Mike Amesbury arrived for his appeal hearing in handcuffs | Mike Amesbury arrived for his appeal hearing in handcuffs |
| Amesbury must also undertake a alcohol monitoring programme, go on an anger management course, and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work. | Amesbury must also undertake a alcohol monitoring programme, go on an anger management course, and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work. |
| His sentence still leaves the 55-year-old MP, who now sits as an independent, at risk of being ousted. | His sentence still leaves the 55-year-old MP, who now sits as an independent, at risk of being ousted. |
| If enough of his constituents back a recall petition, a by-election would result. | If enough of his constituents back a recall petition, a by-election would result. |
| Video footage of the 26 October assault, which was played in court, showed Amesbury punching Mr Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground. | Video footage of the 26 October assault, which was played in court, showed Amesbury punching Mr Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground. |
| The politician then hit him at least five more times and swore at him. | The politician then hit 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?" |
| 'Shouting and screaming' | 'Shouting and screaming' |
| CCTV footage captures Mike Amesbury punching constituent Paul Fellows in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October 2024 | CCTV footage captures Mike Amesbury punching constituent Paul Fellows in Frodsham, Cheshire, in the early hours of 26 October 2024 |
| 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". |
| While acknowledging it would be wrong to sentence him differently because he was an MP, the judge added: "That doesn't mean we can't take into account that your behaviour as an MP was simply disgraceful." | While acknowledging it would be wrong to sentence him differently because he was an MP, the judge added: "That doesn't mean we can't take into account that your behaviour as an MP was simply disgraceful." |
| He said he also could not ignore Amesbury's "heavy drinking and fighting". | He said he also could not ignore Amesbury's "heavy drinking and fighting". |
| The former Labour politician arrived at court in a prison van and wore handcuffs as he was led into the building. | The former Labour politician arrived at court 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 claimed he had been approached by a man "shouting and screaming" about local and national matters. | The court heard that, in a prepared statement given in a police interview, Amesbury claimed he had been 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. | 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. |
| 'Pack of lies' | 'Pack of lies' |
| But the judge told him the CCTV pictures revealed a very different story. | But the judge told him the CCTV pictures revealed a very different story. |
| "In reality, you told the police a pack of lies. Nothing more, nothing less," he said. | "In reality, you told the police a pack of lies. Nothing more, nothing less," he said. |
| Judge Everett questioned why a charge of affray - which can carry a longer sentence - had not been brought by the prosecution. | Judge Everett questioned why a charge of affray - which can carry a longer sentence - had not been brought by the prosecution. |
| Daniel Travers, defending Amesbury, told the court: "He's now had three nights in prison which is an experience he will never forget, certainly." | Daniel Travers, defending Amesbury, told the court: "He's now had three nights in prison which is an experience he will never forget, certainly." |
| He said the "public shaming" and "embarrassment" had had a huge impact on his client. | He said the "public shaming" and "embarrassment" had had a huge impact on his client. |
| "This is a man who will certainly rehabilitate," said Mr Travers. "He will learn a very painful lesson." | "This is a man who will certainly rehabilitate," said Mr Travers. "He will learn a very painful lesson." |
| 'Recall petition' | 'Recall petition' |
| The confirmation of Amesbury's prison sentence, even though it has now been suspended, could still result in him being ousted from the Commons. | The confirmation of Amesbury's prison sentence, even though it has now been suspended, could still result in him being ousted from the Commons. |
| The long-time Labour politician has been sitting as an independent MP for the last four months, following his suspension by party bosses. | The long-time Labour politician has been sitting as an independent MP for the last four months, following his suspension by party bosses. |
| Under parliamentary rules, if an MP receives a custodial sentence a "recall petition" is triggered. | Under parliamentary rules, if an MP receives a custodial sentence a "recall petition" is triggered. |
| After hearing from Chester Crown Court, the Speaker of the House of Commons will contact the returning officer for Amesbury's Runcorn and Helsby constituency. | After hearing from Chester Crown Court, the Speaker of the House of Commons will contact the returning officer for Amesbury's Runcorn and Helsby constituency. |
| Constituents will then have six weeks to ask for their MP's removal by registering at 10 nominated places. | Constituents will then have six weeks to ask for their MP's removal by registering at 10 nominated places. |
| If at least 10% of them vote to remove Amesbury, a by-election will be called. | If at least 10% of them vote to remove Amesbury, a by-election will be called. |
| This would be the first by-election under the new Labour government. | This would be the first by-election under the new Labour government. |
| Amesbury comfortably won the newly created seat for Labour in July's general election, securing 53% of the vote. | Amesbury comfortably won the newly created seat for Labour in July's general election, securing 53% of the vote. |
| With 18%, Reform UK beat the Conservatives (16%) into second place. | With 18%, Reform UK beat the Conservatives (16%) into second place. |