Mike Amesbury, the former Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has had his 10-week prison sentence for assault suspended for two years following an appeal at Chester Crown Court.
The court’s decision means Amesbury, who was jailed earlier this week for punching a constituent in a drunken altercation, will avoid further time behind bars. Instead, he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, undergo a 120-day alcohol monitoring program, attend anger management courses, and complete 20 days of rehabilitation.
Court Ruling and Conditions for Amesbury’s Release
On Wednesday, Judge Steven Everett, sitting alongside two magistrates, decided to suspend the original 10-week sentence for two years. The judge emphasized that while the initial sentence was justified, Amesbury now presented a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
The ruling comes after Amesbury spent three nights in prison, an experience his defense lawyer, Daniel Travers, described as “a very painful lesson” and a form of “public shaming” that had a significant impact on him.
Details of the Assault Incident
Amesbury, 55, pleaded guilty to assaulting Paul Fellows, 45, during an early morning altercation in Frodsham, Cheshire, on October 26. CCTV footage played in court showed Amesbury punching Fellows in the head, knocking him to the ground, and continuing the attack with at least five more blows.
Following the assault, Amesbury was heard shouting, “You won’t threaten your MP again, will you?”
During police questioning, Amesbury initially claimed he felt “terrified and vulnerable” and believed he was acting in self-defense. However, Judge Everett dismissed these claims, stating that Amesbury’s account was inconsistent with the CCTV evidence, describing it as “a pack of lies.”
Potential Political Fallout and Calls for Resignation
The suspension of Amesbury’s sentence does not shield him from political consequences. Under parliamentary rules, a by-election could be triggered if enough constituents sign a recall petition.
Yvette Cooper, the UK’s Home Secretary, has called for Amesbury to either resign or face recall, stating, “I want to see the people of Runcorn get new representation as swiftly as possible.”
Amesbury, who has been sitting as an independent MP since his suspension from the Labour Party last year, arrived at the court in a prison van and was led inside in handcuffs.
Judge’s Remarks on Sentencing Decision
Amesbury’s original sentence was handed down by Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram, who condemned the former MP’s behavior, stating, “You were out drunk in the early hours. The attack was unprovoked. Being in drink is no excuse.”
Ikram also noted that Amesbury continued the attack while the victim was on the ground and only stopped after a bystander intervened. “Your conduct would have had an impact on others watching,” the judge said.
With the sentence now suspended, Amesbury remains at risk of losing his parliamentary seat if his constituents demand a by-election.
