Student admits threatening MP in a menacing Tweet days after shocking Jo Cox murder
AN ODDBALL Twitter troll admitted threatening to shoot his MP in a menacing tweet sent just days after the shocking killing of Jo Cox.
Kier Ashby posted: “I would like to shoot Robert Halfon in the brain with a gun!!!"
He raged at the Harlow MP because he was a staunch supporter of remaining in Europe.
Ashby tagged the MP into the tweet using his handle @halfon4harlowMP and sent in the early hours of the morning of the day of the EU Referendum result.
The Tory MP said he had been at “breaking point” following the killing of Mrs Cox and was fearing for his own safety.
After receiving the message a petrified Mr Halfon, who uses walking sticks as he was born with a form of cerebral palsy, rushed around his home checking the doors were all locked.
Mr Halfon reported the tweet to police and Ashby was arrested.
The "intelligent" 21-year-old, who hopes to become a teacher, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today where he admitted sending the menacing message.
He claimed he had forgotten about the shooting of Mrs Cox and the heightened sensitivities because of her tragic death.
The long haired defendant from Harlow, Essex, wore a dark blue shirt and light blue trousers stood in the dock for the 25-minute hearing.
At one point he was ordered to take his hands out of his pockets.
Denise Holland, prosecuting, told the court Ashby had sent the threatening message after downing beers at home and watching political satire Brass Eye.
She said: “Mr Halfon was effected by the shooting of Jo Cox some eight days earlier.
“He felt threatened and freaked out.”
Ashby sat with his head bowed as the details of his actions were heard.
Mrs Holland added: “Mr Halfon says that since the attack on Jo Cox MP, he has felt vulnerable as he lives, works and shops in his constituency.
“He told police ‘It was breaking point for me and I could not take anymore’."
Mr Halfon had received abusive tweets in the past.
Police traced the account back to Ashby who was arrested and questioned on June 28.
He told police he had chosen Mr Halfon to send the tweet to as he felt there was a chance of getting a reaction.
Mrs Holland said: “Mr Ashby stated to police that he had been at home and consumed about two pints of beer.
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“He had been watching Brass Eye and decided he would like to elicit a response from somebody famous.
“He told police ‘I was not being serious. I wanted any reaction. I forgot the political context that an MP had been shot'.
“‘I regret worrying him even though I don’t agree with the guy.’”
Ashby admitted he understood the MP’s reaction to his abuse, telling police, “It was me being stupid. I would not send it again.
“It’s made me look like a d*ckhead."
Stuart Cooper, defending, said he regretted his actions within five minutes.
He deleted the message and sent a follow-up tweet to the MP apologising.
He told the court Ashby sent the second message which said, "I am having a laugh fella. Keep being awful."
Ashby had tweeted footballers and celebrities in the past.
Mr Cooper said: “He is a student at university and has first class honours results from his first year.”
Ashby penned an apology letter which he had hoped to give to the MP but was unable to do so because of bail conditions.
In the letter he wrote “I thought the message was far from serious.
“It is with tremendous regret that I completely forgot about the tragic events which occurred that week.”
Jeremy Batchelor, chair of the bench, slammed Ashby as he sentenced him to four weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.
He also ordered him to compete 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.
He said: “We do feel in the context of what had happened the week before the language used was extreme.
“We also find it would have caused Mr Halfon significant alarm and distress particularly because of the shooting of a member of parliament several times, but not least of all, in the head, a week or so before.";
Ashby was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to Mr Halfon, £85 prosecutions costs and a victim surcharge of £115.
Ashby, who held his hands crossed in front of himself as he was sentenced, showed no reaction.
Chief Superintendent Sean O’Callaghan of Essex Police warned people to think twice before posting abuse online.
He said: "While people in public office attract comments on social media on a daily basis, the public must expect abusive or offensive messages that relate to violence to be dealt with robustly.”
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