Man threatened to kill MP and 'execute' NHS staff

The man emailed death threats to the culture secretary's constituency office

A man who threatened to kill an MP and "execute" hospital staff was armed with a loaded crossbow when police arrived at his door.

Ryan Breheny was arrested on 3 June after sending threats to the constituency office of Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, and telling a 999 call operator he was planning to attack NHS workers.

Police found a cache of weapons at the 48-year-old's home in the town, including slingshots, rifles, a baton and a machete.

Breheny, who admitted making a threat to kill, sending threatening communications, and common assault, was jailed at Bolton Crown Court for three years and three months.

'Fear and distress'

The court heard Breheny had dialled 999 at about 18:15 BST, saying he wanted to lodge a complaint about the NHS.

He told the operator he had been "offered an AK-47" assault rifle and was going to "execute everyone" wearing a uniform at a hospital, the name of which has not been disclosed.

Breheny then continued to make threats, using the word "execute" and referring to a range of weapons he planned to use.

This included the use of chemicals Breheny said he could access to "easily" make a bomb.

'Fear and distress'

After the call, he sent two emails to Ms Nandy's constituency office, threatening to kill the now culture secretary.

An office manager who read the emails said she was "shocked and genuinely believed" he could carry out the threats, the court heard.

When officers went to Breheny's home they were greeted by him brandishing a crossbow, which he began to load while opening the door.

Breheny told police he had no intention of carrying out the threats which he admitted making.

Abbie Clarke, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said Breheny's actions caused "fear and distress to the staff at the MP’s office".

She added: “Members of Parliament and the emergency services play vital roles in our communities and criminality cannot be allowed to impede or affect that in any way."