A County Durham man has appeared in court and admitted to threatening to kill his MP by setting fire to a burning building with him inside it.
Benjamin Clarke, 31, of Durham Street, Bishop Auckland, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court. He pleaded guilty to making threats to kill MP Sam Rushworth, and a malicious communications offence.
Clarke was granted bail with the condition that he must not contact the Labour MP for Bishop Auckland ahead of his sentencing on January 16 at Durham Crown Court. Sara Kemp, prosecuting, told the court that Clarke contacted the MP in August on social media, saying: “I cannot wait for your next public appearance, you will be lucky to leave it in one piece.”
He was then blocked from contacting Mr Rushworth on the social media platform, preventing any further offences for malicious communications offences, the court heard. In September, Clarke told two mental health practitioners that he wanted to find the MP and smash his head off a pavement, to set fire to a building he was in and then “lock all the doors so I could hear him screaming”.
Clarke added: “I’m going to do it, it’s just a matter of time.”
Ms Kemp said Mr Rushworth has made a victim statement and was particularly concerned for the safety of his family. Amrit Jandoo, defending, said Clarke had no political views or malice towards Mr Rushworth, “but it is quite clear he has taken umbrage against the MP”.
Mr Jandoo asked that a pre-sentence report be made before Clarke’s crown court appearance next month. He added that his client had a history of mental health treatment.
He added: “He would fully accept that his behaviour on these occasions has been very poor.”
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/man-admits-threats-kill-mp-30621619
