Constituent's harassment of MP was 'criminal'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A constituent's attempt to contact his MP went "far beyond the acceptable and became criminal", a court heard yesterday.
John Bradley, 48, bombarded the Liverpool office of Labour's Louise Ellman with phone calls and emails after he wrongly believed her staff were preventing him from seeing her.
It culminated in a "particularly hostile" voicemail he left at the constituency office, Liverpool magistrates' court was told.
Neale Evans, for the prosecution, said: "Some of the contact may initially have been over a legitimate dispute but it turned into open hostility."
Bradley, of Edge Hill, admitted harassment at an earlier hearing.
Ken Heckle, for the defence, said: "He is an intelligent, articulate man who may be perceived as an over-zealous person at times. He accepts this particular contact went into harassment." The judge gave Bradley a conditional discharge of two years. A restraining order preventing him from directly contacting Mrs Ellman was also issued.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments