Following a court appeal the former Labour MP Mike Amesbury who was sent to prison for 10 weeks has had his sentence suspended.
The Runcorn and Helsby MP, 55, was handed a 10-week prison sentence for punching a man in the street appeared at Chest Crown Court on Thursday for an appeal.
Leaving court the former Labour MP refused to answer questions over whether or not he will resign.
Amesbury said, “I’d like to reiterate that I sincerely apologise once again to Mr Fellows and his family.
“I’m now going to go and see my family, and go home, and I’ll give a statement at a later stage.”
Daniel Travers, defending Amesbury told the court, “He’s now had three nights in prison which is an experience he will never forget, certainly.”
He said the “public shaming” and “embarrassment” has had an enormous impact on Amesbury.
He added, “This is a man who will certainly rehabilitate. He will learn a very painful lesson.”
Judge Everett said it would be wrong to sentence Amesbury differently as he is an MP, he added, “That doesn’t mean we can’t take into account that your behaviour as an MP was simply disgraceful.”
He said, “It’s been a very fine line. We came to the conclusion that, without in any way criticising the original sentence of 10 weeks, because of the important change in the last three to four days you are a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and therefore we will suspend the sentence for two years.”
Amesbury was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and he will have go on a 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement and complete an anger management course.
