Benjamin Clarke, 31, appeared at Durham Crown Court, where he was due to be sentenced for making threats to kill Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth, and a malicious communications offence also relating to the Labour member, having admitted both charges at a hearing before magistrates, last month.
His barrister Chris Baker told today’s (Thursday, January 16) hearing that Clarke wanted to vacate those pleas and so Recorder Mark Giuliani adjourned the case until next month.
Clarke, of Durham Street, Bishop Auckland, was bailed on condition that he does not make any further comments on social media about Mr Rushworth, at the risk of being further arrested and then possibly remanded in custody.
(Image: The Northern Echo) At the previous hearing, at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, it was said that using a social media platform, in August, Clarke contacted his MP, who was only elected at July’s General Election.
In the posting, he told his MP: “I cannot wait for your next public appearance, you will be lucky to leave it in one piece.”
(Image: Owen Humphreys (PA)) Mr Rushworth was said to have blocked him from contacting him on the social media platform, preventing any further malicious communications offences, prosecutors told that hearing, on December 19.
(Image: The Northern Echo) It was also stated that in September, speaking to two mental health practitioners, Clarke said he wanted to find the MP and, “smash his head off a pavement”, then, “to set fire to a building he was in and lock all the doors so I could hear him screaming”.
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The magistrates’ court was told that Clarke added: “I’m going to do it, it’s just a matter of time.”
Recorder Giuliani told Clarke that given his wish to seek to change plea, the case would be adjourned today and re-listed to be heard at Teesside Crown Court, on Wednesday, February 5.
But, as the defendant left the court, the Recorder reminded him of his bail condition not to contact Mr Rushworth or to refer to him on social media.