LABOUR MP Mike Amesbury has pleaded guilty to assault after he punched a constituent FIVE times in a late-night brawl.
The Runcorn and Helsby MP lashed out at Paul Fellows then told him: "You won't threaten your MP again will you, you f***ing soft lad".
Amesbury appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court today where he pleaded guilty to section 39 assault.
Speaking outside court following his plea, the 55-year-old described the attack as "highly regrettable".
He said: "I am sincerely sorry to Mr Fellows and his family."
The MP was suspended from the Labour Party after footage emerged of him punching the constituent in the early hours of October 26.
He has now been booted out of the party following his plea, reports.
The court hear the pair had engaged with each other for "several minutes" before the violence erupted at a taxi rank after a night of boozing.
Mr Fellows had recognised Amesbury and approached him to remonstrate about a bridge closure in the town, the court heard.
He then started to walk away but was called back by Amesbury, who shouted out "what" before punching Mr Fellows in the head.
As he fell to the ground, the raging MP punched him again "at least five times" - leaving him with a lump on the head.
He said: "Don't ever threaten me again."
Hours earlier, he had posed for photos with the local police commissioner.
The MP previously claimed he was acting in self defence but no longer maintains that, the court heard.
His lawyer, Richard Derby, said Amesbury has experienced "shame and embarrassment" over the attack.
Amesbury, who now sits in Parliament as an Independent, had released a statement after he was charged.
He said: "I have today been summonsed to court to face a charge of common assault following an incident in Frodsham last month, which was deeply regrettable.
"I am continuing to cooperate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further."
Amesbury on his seat at the general election in July with a majority of 14,696.
He had served under Labour since 2017 and was a shadow minister between 2018 and 2024.
Following his plea, a party spokesperson said: "It is right that Mike Amesbury has taken responsibility for his unacceptable actions.
"He was rightly suspended by the Labour Party following the announcement of the police investigation.
"We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are still ongoing."
Amesbury has been released on unconditional bail ahead of sentencing on February 24.
If he is jailed or handed a suspended sentence, he could lose his seat - triggering a potential by-election.
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