Mike Freer: Man convicted of threatening behaviour towards MP

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A man has been convicted a day after he was arrested by the Met for threatening behaviour towards a London MP.

James Phillips, 46, pleaded responsible to malicious communications at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 7 February.

An investigation was launched on Thursday, 1 February after police had been contacted by the workplace of Mike Freer MP saying that he had acquired a threatening and abusive cellphone name the day prior to this.

The workplace of Finchley and Golders Green MP Mr Freer acquired three calls on January 31, two of which had been “heavy breathing” and the third was a “man with a London accent”, Adrita Ahmed, prosecuting, mentioned.

The caller mentioned: “I’m coming for you, you c***, not just Mike Freer but you as well,” Ms Ahmed informed the court docket.

Officers carried out a quantity of enquiries which resulted in Phillips being recognized as the one who had made this name. He was arrested on Tuesday, 6 February.

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, from the native policing group in north-west London, mentioned: “This incident was first reported to us less than a week ago. Officers carried out urgent enquiries to identify and locate the suspect and detectives have worked tirelessly to secure charges.

“This conviction demonstrates how seriously we treat threats and abuse towards MPs and other public officials.”

Phillips additionally pleaded responsible to assaulting an emergency employee after he tried to strike an officer whereas he was in custody. He can be sentenced on the similar court docket on Wednesday, 6 March.

It comes after Mr Freer – the Tory MP for London’s Finchley and Golders Green seat since 2010 – mentioned it was time to say “enough” as he might now not put his household by way of fears for his security.

The minister, who has pro-Israel views and represents a closely Jewish constituency, mentioned antisemitism was behind some of the intimidation and assaults on his workplace.

In December, his constituency workplace was topic to an arson assault. The fireplace was understood to have began in a shed behind the constructing. It destroyed the shed and half of the primary, second and third flooring of the property.