Labour MP Mike Amesbury Jailed for Assault in Late-Night Drunken Attack

Suspended Labour MP Mike Amesbury has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison after admitting to a violent assault on a man during a night out in his Cheshire constituency.

The 55-year-old MP for Runcorn and Helsby was caught on CCTV punching Paul Fellows, 45, to the ground outside a taxi rank in Frodsham in the early hours of October 26. Amesbury then followed his victim onto the road, striking him at least five more times while taunting him: “You won’t threaten your MP again, will you, fucking soft lad.”

‘You Were Only Stopped by the Public’

Sentencing Amesbury at Chester Magistrates’ Court, Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram ruled that the attack warranted immediate jail time, noting:

“You were only stopped from going further by members of the public.”

Amesbury’s 10-week sentence—of which he’ll serve just four weeks in custody—feels insultingly inadequate given the circumstances. The vision of the Deputy Chief Magistrate noting how Amesbury was “unlikely to re-offend” before grudgingly acknowledging that the MP was “only stopped from going further by members of the public” speaks volumes about the leniency afforded to those in positions of authority.

Despite arguments from his defence that he was “unlikely to re-offend”, the judge sentenced him to 10 weeks behind bars, of which he will serve 40% in prison before being released on licence.

The courtroom was left stunned by the ruling. Amesbury’s lawyer, Richard Derby, immediately asked if the sentence was immediate—the judge nodded, replied “yes”, and left. A desperate bail application was swiftly made but refused outright.

A Byelection on the Horizon?

Amesbury, who was suspended from Labour following the investigation, now faces political limbo. As his sentence is under a year, he can remain an independent MP while appealing.

However, if his appeal fails, a recall petition could be triggered—forcing a byelection if 10% of his constituents sign it. With Labour’s parliamentary majority secure, the party may push for his exit to avoid further damage.

The incident, sparked by a drunken row over a bridge closure, has not only cost Amesbury his reputation but now threatens his seat in Parliament.

The legal process now crawls forward with the possibility of appeals, recall petitions, and perhaps eventually a by-election. But these mechanisms come too late for Mr Fellows, who found himself bloodied on the ground for exercising his democratic right to question authority.

Paul Knaggs