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Angela Rayner: Men admit sending abusive messages to MP

Two men have pleaded guilty to sending abusive messages to Labor Party Deputy Leader Angela Rayner.

Stuart Kelly, 53, of Halifax, admitted leaving three voicemails for Ms Rayner, including one saying “I hope you get shot”, on October 15, 2021.

At the same hearing, Michael McGrath, 70, from Sheffield, admitted to sending an offensive email to the Ashton-under-Lyne MP’s office the following day.

Ms Rayner said the threats had left her “constantly watching my back”.

Kelly was released on bail and will be sentenced at a later date, while McGrath received a six-week jail sentence suspended for 18 months.

Appearing earlier at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, both men were charged with sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or threatening message.

The court heard how Kelly left messages for Ms. Rayner calling her “scum” over a period of 30 minutes.

The abuse was posted on the heels of the assassination of Sir David Amess MP.

The Conservative politician had been stabbed while meeting constituents at a regular surgery.

In a victim impact statement read in court, Ms Rayner described how the threats had left her scared, not only for herself, but also for her family, children and staff.

She said the murders of MP Jo Cox and Sir David had made her worry that the same thing might happen to her.

The deputy added that the abuse had changed her as a person.

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