Suspended jail term for MP who punched constituent

Former Labour politician wins appeal over 10-week sentence

- BRYONY GOOCH

The former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has walked free from prison after winning an appeal against his 10-week sentence for punching a constituent to the ground during a drunken row.

The Runcorn and Helsby MP returned to Chester Crown Court in a prison van yesterday, wearing handcuffs, after he was dealt an immediate jail term on Monday that saw him spend three nights at HMP Altcourse.

Granting the appeal, honorary recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates, imposed another sentence of 10 weeks’ imprisonment but suspended it for two years.

His defending lawyer, Daniel Travers, described the politician’s three nights in prison as an unforgettable experience and promised: “This is a man who will certainly rehabilitate. He will learn a very painful lesson.”

Outside of the Crown Court, Amesbury, 55, said: “I’d like to reiterate that I sincerely apologise once again to Mr Fellows and his family. I’m now going to go and see my family, and go home, and I’ll give a statement at a later stage.”

He ignored questions from the media about whether or not he would resign.