Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks behind bars after admitting a savage assault on a man in his own Cheshire area. The 55-year-old, who was once the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, is now an independent following the attack on 45-year-old Paul Fellows.
The violent incident occurred in the early hours of October 26 in Frodsham, Cheshire. CCTV footage captured Amesbury throwing a punch that knocked Mr Fellows to the floor, then continuing to strike the defenseless victim while he lay helpless.
Following the incident, Labour suspended Amesbury, which forced him to become an independent as the fallout escalated.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram handed down the jail term at Chester Magistrates’ Court, condemning the “unprovoked” attack. “A single punch to the head can cause fatal injuries,” Ikram warned. “Thankfully that was not the case here.”
The court heard that Amesbury’s violence stemmed from a fit of anger and a total loss of control. What shocked the magistrate most was Amesbury’s refusal to stop once Mr Fellows was down. “You only stopped because a bystander stepped in. As an MP, you should be a role model.”
Despite Amesbury’s clean record and years of public service, magistrates insisted that immediate custody was the only option. “Unprovoked drunken violence is too serious for a slap on the wrist or unpaid work,” Ikram said. “You might not reoffend, but this behaviour required jail.”
Amesbury was also ordered to cover the victim’s costs and was swiftly escorted out of court.
The conviction has sent shockwaves through the Runcorn and Helsby community, with many demanding Amesbury resign from his seat. Political pundits predict the scandal could trigger a by-election. Labour has remained tight-lipped, but insiders say a return for Amesbury is off the table.
Constituents expressed their disappointment. “He’s let so many down after years of service,” said one local. “Hard to believe he’s capable of this.”
As Amesbury begins his jail term, questions remain over his political future and whether trust in the area can be restored.
Originally published by UKNIP.
