Man who sent 'menacing' emails to MP spared jail

Craig Whittaker, Conservative MP for the Calder Valley, was sent the threatening emails in February 2023

A man who made "menacing" threats to his MP and told him he would "remove him from public life" has been spared jail.

Robert Fuller sent five separate emails to Craig Whittaker, Conservative MP for the Calder Valley, in the space of two-and-a-half hours after he'd spent the night drinking.

Using the moniker 'Fred', one email told Mr Whittaker he'd had a "good innings" and that he was being given "fair warning" he'd be "retired".

Fuller, of Greenfield Terrace in Todmorden, was given a 12-month community order.

Bradford Magistrates' Court was told that 57-year-old Fuller had "long-standing" mental health issues but had not been taking his medication at the time of the offence, in February 2023.

It was said that between 00:05 GMT and 02:20 GMT on the morning of 10 February, Fuller sent a series of "incoherent" emails to Mr Whittaker's office, with two of them standing out as being "particularly menacing".

Fuller was sentenced at Bradford Magistrates Court on Friday

One of the emails began, "oi, you remember me. I'm Fred. I'd like you retired. I ain't bothered how it's done."

It went on: "You've had a good innings. I'm giving you fair warning. I'll remove you from public life myself."

Another email insulted Mr Whittaker before immediately asking, "am I still OK to meet up with you?"

The court was told the emails had been intercepted by a communications officer and shown to Mr Whittaker, who perceived them as threatening and took them seriously.

'Fear of harm'

Sentencing Fuller on Friday, deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram said: "Public servants must be able to do their jobs without fear of harm.

"Indeed, people may think twice about going into public service because of the threats that are made against them.

"Threats must be taken seriously. We know that from other incidents."

The court was told Fuller had 22 previous convictions for 43 offences, the last of which was for criminal damage in 2009.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of sending grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages.

Fuller was given a 12-month community order and told to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £114.

Mr Whittaker, who was elected as an MP in 2010, announced last year he would stand down ahead of the next general election.

The court was told that Mr Whittaker declined to request Fuller be subject to a restraining order on the grounds he wanted to remain accessible to his constituents.

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