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Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury Sentenced to 10 Weeks in Jail for Assault
The former MP for Runcorn and Helsby faces consequences following a conviction for attacking a constituent.
Mike Amesbury, a suspended Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has been sentenced to 10 weeks in jail after pleading guilty to assaulting a man in his constituency.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 26 October in Frodsham, Cheshire, was captured on CCTV, showing Amesbury, 55, punching 45-year-old Paul Fellows to the ground.
During a hearing at Chester Magistrates' Court, Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram reviewed a pre-sentence report detailing Amesbury's actions, which were characterized by 'anger and loss of emotional control.' Upon sentencing, the magistrate noted that although the injuries sustained were limited, Amesbury's actions were exacerbated by continuing the assault while Fellows was down and verbally berating him.
Ikram commented on the seriousness of the offense, stating, 'I have to say that I have seen a single punch to the head cause fatal injuries.' He emphasized the need for an immediate custodial sentence as both a punishment and deterrent, clearly stating that unprovoked drunken behavior is deemed too serious for community service.
Amesbury's attorneys made an unsuccessful appeal for bail pending an appeal against the sentence.
The magistrate also indicated that the incident was isolated in the context of Amesbury's otherwise unblemished public service career.
Nevertheless, he asserted that such conduct does not align with the expectations of a public figure.
Upon sentencing, Amesbury was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the victim, along with costs totaling £85 and a surcharge of £154.
Following the announcement of the sentence, a spokesperson for the Labour Party noted that Amesbury's behavior was unacceptable, reinforcing that he is no longer part of the party and expressing hope for improved representation in the constituency.
A jail sentence allows for a recall petition to be initiated by voters in Amesbury's constituency, which requires the support of over 10% of constituents to trigger a by-election.
Reform UK party chairman Zia Yusuf urged Amesbury to resign to facilitate this process.
An application for bail will be considered again at the crown court later this week.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 26 October in Frodsham, Cheshire, was captured on CCTV, showing Amesbury, 55, punching 45-year-old Paul Fellows to the ground.
During a hearing at Chester Magistrates' Court, Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram reviewed a pre-sentence report detailing Amesbury's actions, which were characterized by 'anger and loss of emotional control.' Upon sentencing, the magistrate noted that although the injuries sustained were limited, Amesbury's actions were exacerbated by continuing the assault while Fellows was down and verbally berating him.
Ikram commented on the seriousness of the offense, stating, 'I have to say that I have seen a single punch to the head cause fatal injuries.' He emphasized the need for an immediate custodial sentence as both a punishment and deterrent, clearly stating that unprovoked drunken behavior is deemed too serious for community service.
Amesbury's attorneys made an unsuccessful appeal for bail pending an appeal against the sentence.
The magistrate also indicated that the incident was isolated in the context of Amesbury's otherwise unblemished public service career.
Nevertheless, he asserted that such conduct does not align with the expectations of a public figure.
Upon sentencing, Amesbury was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the victim, along with costs totaling £85 and a surcharge of £154.
Following the announcement of the sentence, a spokesperson for the Labour Party noted that Amesbury's behavior was unacceptable, reinforcing that he is no longer part of the party and expressing hope for improved representation in the constituency.
A jail sentence allows for a recall petition to be initiated by voters in Amesbury's constituency, which requires the support of over 10% of constituents to trigger a by-election.
Reform UK party chairman Zia Yusuf urged Amesbury to resign to facilitate this process.
An application for bail will be considered again at the crown court later this week.
