Troll who emailed Keir Starmer calling him a ‘gutless dirty b*****d’ spared jail
Troll who emailed Keir Starmer calling him a ‘gutless dirty b*****d’ spared jail
A frequent email sender, who launched a series of messages laden with harsh language and violent threats, was not sent to prison after facing charges. Mark Tew, 63, targeted Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, with a particularly scathing insult, according to testimony at Southwark Crown Court.
In one email, Tew referred to Starmer as a “gutless dirty bastard,” highlighting the offensive nature of his communications. The barrage of messages, which spanned several months, also included attacks on multiple barristers, intensifying the disruption caused.
The court convicted Tew on seven charges of sending electronic communications intended to cause distress or anxiety. He contested one additional count involving former Home Secretary Priti Patel but was ultimately cleared.
Although the emails were not directly read by the politicians themselves, they were intercepted by staff, creating a significant impact. Tew admitted to failing to appear for six court dates, leading to his conviction for not surrendering to the justice system.
As a result, he received a 17-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, alongside four months of curfew monitored via an electronic tag. A restraining order was also imposed, preventing him from contacting Starmer, three barristers, another MP, and a Lord.
“Elected officials must be able to perform their duties without fear of harassment or violence,” said a Crown Prosecution Service representative. “That’s why we take cases like this seriously and pursue those who endanger politicians.”
The prosecution emphasized Tew’s awareness of his actions, noting that the messages, though unseen by recipients, still caused harm. His emails could have discouraged others from entering public service, potentially affecting democratic processes.
In defense, Stella Harris argued that Tew’s mental health and autistic traits played a role in his behavior. She mentioned his anxiety and persecutory personality disorder, which may have influenced his actions. Tew also admitted to excessive alcohol consumption during the time of the offenses, though he has since reduced his intake.
Mr Justice Murray acknowledged Tew’s tendency to email politicians and barristers to voice grievances. While most of his messages were unpleasant, they were not deemed criminal. However, the eight emails in question were notably more aggressive, containing both offensive content and threats.
Notably, the timing of Tew’s emails coincided with heightened public concern over political safety following the stabbing of MP David Amess in his constituency. This context underscored the significance of his actions, as officials faced increased scrutiny.
The first of Tew’s messages was sent on 23 January 2021 to Priti Patel, then Home Secretary. Police later retrieved his phone, uncovering emails directed at Starmer, Rishi Sunak, and Ben Wallace. On 21 March 2021, he sent a message to the opposition leader, declaring: “You should be beaten up Starmer, stabbed to death, shot to dead. You gutless yellow bastard Starmer. Tell the truth you miserable uneducated tosser.”
After his initial arrest, Tew used a new email address in October 2021 to continue his campaign. On 23 October, he threatened to behead Mr Trimmer and Guy Bowden, while another email to Starmer on 19 November referenced James Lewis KC, the barrister involved in Julian Assange’s extradition case.
