SNP supporter sent sick messages to MP Man (30) is banned from contacting Joanna Cherry
An SNP supporter from Bannockburn has admitted sending sick Twitter messages to Joanna Cherry MP which she feared were threats of sexual violence.
Grant Karte appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday and pled guilty to sending the messages to the Scottish National Party politician last month.
The 30-year-old sent one which said: “You have 24 hours or I will f*** you like you f ***** Scotland.”
The messages were sent on the day that Ms Cherry was “sacked” from the SNP’s front bench by the party leadership.
Fiscal depute Callum Thomson told the court how Ms Cherry was checking a mobile phone and social media accounts at around 6.30pm on February 1.
He said she’d received five private message on Twitter from an account under the name ‘Grant.’
Mr Thomson said the first message read: “You don’t know me or what I’m capable of. Tell me something.” An email address and phone number was also left.
A second message added: “Or I will be your worst enemy.”
The next said: “Don’t bull **** me.”
Another read: “I read between the lines.”
The fifth said: “You have 24 hours or I will f*** you like you f ***** Scotland.”
The prosecutor said Ms Cherry found the messages “threatening” and that it involved “some threat of sexual violence”.
He added: “Thereafter she contacted police and a member of her support staff.”
The court heard police investigated the messages and executed a search warrant at Karte’s home address in Bannockburn, on February 3.
Mr Thomson said Karte made a “full admission” to officers.
Defence agent Simon Collins said his client was having “difficulties with his own life” at the time of the offending and was “apologetic and embarrassed” over it.
Mr Collins said Karte had been diagnosed with a psychological disorder around Christmas and was on medication.
The solicitor said Karte was a “follower of the SNP” and was “following political developments”.
He said it had been a “highprofile”
time for Ms Cherry and the party and Karte was “trying to find some answers”.
Mr Collins said the messages were not intended as sexual threats as Ms Cherry believed.
The court heard Karte had previous convictions, including for possession of a knife.
Mr Collins said Karte, a selfemployed plumber who was currently not working, was “not a violent person”.
Karte pled guilty to sending by means of electronic communication network, namely Twitter, messages to Joanna Cherry that were grossly offensive, or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character in that he did repeatedly threaten her.
Sheriff Alistair Noble deferred sentencing until next month. The sheriff said Ms Cherry had “inferred a threat of sexual harm” even though the accused “says it was not his intent”.
He said the matter “warrants further examination” and called for reports on Karte.
A special condition was set banning Karte from approaching or contacting Ms Cherry.
Following the court appearance, Ms Cherry took to her Twitter account to issue a statement, in which she thanked the police for their assistance.
She added: ‘Some of the threats which Mr Karte made to me were of a sexual nature. A recent survey of parliamentarians showed that while politicians of both sexes receive abuse and threats, it is largely female politicians who receive threats of sexual violence. I believe that this is a problem which requires to be acknowledged.’.
Ms Cherry added that ‘untrue allegations’ of transphobia made against her ‘put a target on my back’.
It was on February 1 that Ms Cherry, 54, was “sacked” from her front bench role in the SNP Westminster group.
The MP for Edinburgh South West was serving as the Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department and Justice.
A prominent feminist, Ms Cherry had been caught up in the massive internal row in the SNP over gender recognition and trans rights.
Earlier First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had intervened in the trans row after a number of young members left the SNP over the issue and the leadership’s perceived failure to tackle transphobia.
Ms Cherry backed Alex Salmond by asking for his role in the party history to be restored after he was cleared of sex charges in a court case last year.
Last month, we told how Stirling MP Alyn Smith was forced to alert police after he received an email of a threatening nature.
The SNP MP says that he received an ominous communication left him concerned and he raised the matter with Police Scotland.
Following the email, Mr Smith told the Observer: “Sadly, it’s not unusual for politicians to receive abuse, but this email was particularly threatening and I felt that the police needed to be involved for the protection of my team as well as for my own protection.
“I don’t normally publicise abuse, as I often judge it’s better not to give a louder voice to it. But the nature of this incident is different and I think it’s right that people should be aware.
“I’m very grateful for the support given to my team and I by Police Scotland, who I trust to take whatever action is necessary and appropriate in response.”
Police Scotland said that, following enquiries, no criminality was established.
While politicians of both sexes receive abuse and threats, it is largely female politicians who receive threats of sexual violence Joanna Cherry MP