Jailed for year over kill threat emails to MPs
Six-month campaign of ‘vile’ abuse
A SCOTS businessman who bombarded MPs with a string of ‘vile’ emails including death threats has been jailed.
Paul Ritchie, 35, admitted 28 counts of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety over a six-month period between March and August 2019.
His victims included former Commons speaker John Bercow, ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, former home secretary Amber Rudd and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
Others targeted were ex-Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, her successor Sir Ed Davey, and former minister Rory Stewart.
Ritchie was traced through two email addresses, including one linked to his business Snapr – a property services website – and arrested at his flat in Paddington, London.
Judge Adam Hiddleston jailed Ritchie, of Dolphinton, Lanarkshire, for a year at Southwark Crown Court. The judge told him: ‘I have no doubt that you did harbour a deep-seated animosity to those who held opposing views to your own and that appeared to have been your motivation.
‘The contents of those emails were vile. They included threats of violence, such as threats to shoot someone in the face and threats to kill, such as by way of decapitation.
‘Those threats were not just directed towards the individuals but also in some cases to their families as well. Those who received the emails would no doubt be left in fear for their personal safety and that of their loved ones.’
Prosecutor Ruby Selva earlier said Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price reported feeling ‘concerned for his safety’ after receiving an email telling him ‘you deserve to get shot in the face you p***k’, while having dinner with his family.
In a statement to the court, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said ‘the level of abuse,
‘Feared for their safety’
threats and intimidation’ received by MPs had increased following the terrorist murder of Jo Cox.
‘Those responsible should face the full force of the law at the appropriate level.’
Emma Fenn, defending, said Ritchie felt ‘genuine remorse and shame at the content of these messages’.
The court heard Ritchie was suffering from depression at the time and had been abusing drugs and alcohol.