A Devon man has been jailed for 28 weeks after admitting to sending malicious communications to Labour MP Jess Phillips and two other individuals.
Jack Bennett, 39, pleaded guilty to the offence at Exeter Magistrates’ Court today, following an investigation into threats and harmful messages sent between April 2024 and January 2025.
Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley, currently serves as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.
Online Harassment and Public Criticism
The case comes just weeks after billionaire Elon Musk publicly criticised Phillips on social media, calling her a “witch” and claiming she “deserves to be in prison” for her response to the grooming gangs scandal.
While there is no suggestion that Bennett’s actions were linked to Musk’s comments, the MP has faced significant online abuse in recent months.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
Magistrates heard that Bennett’s messages contained threats and caused distress to the recipients. The nature of the messages has not been disclosed, but the court found them serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence.
Bennett was sentenced to 28 weeks in jail, and authorities have warned of the serious legal consequences of sending malicious communications.
MP Jess Phillips’ Reaction
Phillips has long been an advocate against online abuse and threats targeting public figures, particularly women in politics. She has yet to comment on the sentencing, but in the past has spoken about increased harassment of female MPs.
A Growing Problem
The conviction comes amid rising concerns over the safety of MPs and online threats targeting politicians. Several UK MPs have called for stronger protections following the murders of Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021.
Police have urged anyone experiencing threats, harassment, or online abuse to report it immediately.
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