Prison for 'obsessed' constituent who threatened to kill Labour MP

AN “obsessed” constituent who made repeated threats to kill his MP and harm his wife has been jailed for 18 months.

- 

Benjamin Clarke was branded “dangerous” by Mr Justice Cotter after he said he wanted to “fire-bomb” Bishop Auckland Labour MP Sam Rushworth, among other serious threats.

Clarke will serve an extra 18 months of supervision once released after the judge heard that the 32-year-old continues to harbour violent thoughts about the politician.

Clarke, of Durham Street, Bishop Auckland, contacted his MP in August on social media, saying: “I cannot wait until your next public appearance, you will be lucky to leave it in one piece.”

Mr Rushworth contacted police and blocked his constituent on social media.

Clarke told a mental health practitioner the following month that, if he could find Mr Rushworth, he would “smash his head off the pavement until he dies” and that he would fire-bomb his house or office, and “lock the doors so I could hear him screaming”.