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Friday, 29 October 2021

Cambridgeshire Man Convicted of Sending Labour Deputy Leader Threatening Email

A Cambridgeshire man has been convicted of sending a threatening email to the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Benjamin Iliffe, 36, of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, admitted an offence under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 when he appeared via videolink at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 28th October 2021.

The maximum penalty for such an offence is 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 2 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment.

Iliffe also admitted possession of cannabis, which was found on him at the time of his arrest.

Magistrates heard that the former delivery driver sent the menacing email to Angela Rayner MP on Saturday, 16th October 2021 - just a day after Sir David Amess MP was killed during one of his regular surgeries.

Iliffe, who sent the email from his personal email account, told police officers that he was angry that Ms Rayner had previously referred to Conservatives as "scum" and believed she was "partially responsible" for the death of Sir David.

The email chillingly warned Ms Rayner to "watch your back and your kids".

It continued: "Promise you c***.

"There's so many people in this country now, after your poster boy murdered an Englishman who are coming after you now c***.

"You were easy to find btw [by the way].

"I already found your personal home address."

Magistrates ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Delivering the report verbally, the probation officer said: "He informed me that following the death of Sir David Amess MP, he felt angry at the victim who - he states - described a member of the Conservative Party previously or referred to them as 'scum'. He reports that he felt she was making light of the situation and felt angry as a result of this.

"He stated he wanted to vent, and felt that somebody needed to tell her she was partially responsible for the attack following her use of language.

"When reflecting on this matter he accepted he had expressed himself wrong, and he himself had also used the wrong language in order to communicate his point."

The officer noted that Iliffe had appeared tearful and remorseful during his interview.

They concluded: "In my opinion, this current offence was deliberate and intentional to harm the victim as Mr Iliffe wanted her to feel accountable for what he believed she had contributed to.

"However, he accepted, in hindsight, it was ill-considered and sent impulsively."


Claire Thorneley, mitigating, told the court that her client was a man of previous good character.

"It's one email sent from his own personal account with no attempt to disguise himself," she said.

"He made full admissions in police interview as to his conduct. He was very apologetic and remorseful.

"He's expressed twice that he would wish an opportunity to apologise personally to Ms Rayner for the fear and distress he caused."

Andrew Riddington JP, Presiding Justice, said: "We believe that the offences are so serious that it does cross the custody threshold.

"It's so serious because of the psychological harm caused to a public servant."

However, Mr Riddington said that the bench was minded to suspend the custodial term on the basis of Iliffe's full and frank admissions, previous good character and the remorse shown.

Iliffe was sentenced to 15 weeks' custody suspended for 2 years, with an unpaid work requirement of 100 hours and 30 days' rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £128 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also made Iliffe subject to a 2 year restraining order which prohibits him from any contact, either directly or indirectly, with Angela Rayner MP.

In relation to the cannabis, of which Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction, Iliffe was fined £50.

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