Men plead guilty to abusive messages to Angela Rayner saying she should be 'shot dead'

MP for Ashton and Failsworth Angela Rayner

Two men have pleaded guilty to sending abusive emails and phone calls to Failsworth MP and Deputy Leader of the Labour party, Angela Rayner.

Michael McGrath, 70, of Silkstone Crescent, Sheffield, and Stuart Kelly, 53 of East Park Road, Halifax, have pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrate's Court, following an investigation carried out by Greater Manchester Police in connection with malicious communications sent to Ms Rayner.

Mcgrath was sentenced to 6 weeks, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay courts costs amounting to £200, after pleading guilty to sending an offensive/indecent/obscene/menacing message.

Kelly will be sentenced separately on the 14th April 2022.

On Saturday 16 October 2021, McGrath sent threatening and abusive emails to the MP calling her a 'f***ing vile b***h' amongst other insults.

On Monday 18 October 2021, Kelly left three voicemails on Ms Rayner's answerphone calling her 'a f***ing murderer' and saying that he wished she would be shot dead.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Dean of GMP's Tameside CID said: "Abusive and threatening emails or phone calls, towards anyone, is unacceptable and not only impacts the life of those they are directed at but also those close to them.

"The abusive messages both McGrath and Kelly sent to this woman left her incredibly fearful for her safety and the safety of those around her. We launched a full investigation to identify those responsible and I hope today's sentence clearly demonstrates that these actions have consequences.

"What you think may be a quick and harmless email or phone call can result in a criminal conviction and we will always do what we can to take robust action against you."

At the time of the offences a spokesperson for Angela Rayner said: “Angela would like to thank the police for their work during these investigations.

“Abuse and threats of this nature don’t just have an impact on Angela but also on her family, her children and her staff, who are on the receiving end of these communications.”

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