Cheshire MP Mike Amesbury will no longer serve time behind bars after his 10-week prison sentence was suspended for two years.
The Runcorn and Helsby representative had been jailed earlier this week for assaulting a constituent but has now been granted a reprieve under strict legal conditions.
Amesbury was sentenced at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Monday after admitting to repeatedly punching a man during a street altercation. The incident, which led to his immediate imprisonment, raised questions about his future in politics. However, with the court’s decision to suspend his sentence, he will avoid immediate jail time unless he commits another offense within the next two years.
Suspended sentences allow individuals to remain in the community under specific conditions, which may include restrictions on movement, participation in rehabilitation programs, or community service. Any violation could result in the full sentence being enforced.
The incident has sparked public debate, with some calling for Amesbury to step down from his role, while others argue that he should be given a second chance. Political analysts say his ability to continue as an MP will depend on public perception and any potential actions taken by his party.
Further updates on the case and Amesbury’s political future are expected as more details emerge.