Constituent jailed for harassing Bristol MP

Thangam Debbonaire said drugs laws were "killing people and wrecking lives"

An angry constituent who harassed an MP and one of her staff by leaving a series of disturbing answerphone messages has been jailed for 20 weeks.

Colin Burns, 50, of Bristol, was convicted of one offence of harassment without violence earlier this month.

He repeatedly called the office of Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire and insulted a senior case worker.

Burns also left racially offensive messages on the answerphone and called the MP and her staff "racists".

Bristol Magistrates' Court heard Burns, of Seymour Road, Easton, telephoned Ms Debbonaire's office on 14 September to complain about rats in his accommodation.

"Dissatisfied" with the help he got from senior case worker Michelle Boobier, he became angry and began shouting at her.

When she ended the call, he repeatedly phoned back - mainly at night - and left lengthy "upsetting and disturbing" answerphone messages.

During one call, he said he was sure she was aware that he had "spent many years in jail" and would not "tolerate this nonsense".

In another call, he told Ms Boobier: "You're an employee so you've got on a death card, deal with it professionally."

In victim impact statements, Ms Debbonaire said she was left feeling "wary and anxious" about being an MP, while Ms Boobier described a "sense of dread" coming to work.

'Racial murder cases'

Passing sentence, district judge David Taylor told Burns that it was "entirely understandable" they had become "alarmed".

"You made repeated references to murder cases with a racial element including Damilola Taylor and Stephen Lawrence," he said.

"You continued to make racially abusive comments, including 'you are a bunch of racists'."

Judge Taylor said he was "satisfied" Burns was aware his conduct was "offensive, abusive and unreasonable".

Burns was jailed for 20 weeks and will be subject of 12 months' supervision on release.

The judge also imposed a four-year restraining order banning him from contacting or attempting to contact Ms Debbonaire or Ms Boobier directly or indirectly.