MP'S STALKER BANNED FROM CONTACT FOR FIVE YEARS
Jonathan Bell, a 35-year-old man, has been ordered to cease all contact with parliamentary representative Carol Monaghan after engaging in a campaign of harassment related to her Brexit views.His actions, which included threatening messages and vandalism, caused Ms.
Monaghan to fear for her safety, leading her to move her family to a secure location.
He received a sentence of 180 hours of unpaid work, a five-year ban on contact, and will be subject to supervision for two years.
A strict six-month tagging order will restrict his movements between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
Prosecutors revealed that Bell contacted Crimestoppers claiming Ms.
Monaghan’s life was in danger, and he vandalized her constituency office with tomato sauce, which staff initially mistook for blood.
He also posted photographs online of this act with offensive remarks.
During court proceedings, Bell tweeted questioning whether people believed the MP’s life was threatened, and made political statements criticising her stance against Brexit.
Additionally, he left a disturbing voicemail at her office.
Bell pleaded guilty to causing her fear or alarm through a course of conduct.
His defense explained that Bell opposed Brexit and accused online comments of being threats against Ms.
Monaghan, leading him to interpret social media posts as dangerous.
The court was told that Bell, after his arrest, admitted to police that he was sorry for his behaviour.
Sheriff Jones emphasized that such conduct, especially targeting public officials, is unacceptable and must be condemned.
He reminded Bell that political disagreements should not involve intimidation or threats, and Bell acknowledged understanding of this stance.
