A ‘far-right extremist’ who threatened to shoot one Sunderland MP and ‘hurt’ another has been jailed
A ‘far-right extremist’ who threatened to shoot and kill an MP during a terrifying campaign of ‘vigilante democracy’ because she supported a second Brexit referendum has been jailed.
Colin Brown, who had “expressed support” for the murder of Jo Cox, said he wanted to “make an example” of Bridget Phillipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South.
The 50-year-old, who has a previous conviction for hurling racial abuse at council staff, also threatened he was going to “hurt” Julie Elliott, MP for Sunderland Central and said politicians needed “shooting”.
During the shocking threats he made in 2019, Brown warned he would drive a car into a mosque in a bid to target Muslims.
At Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Brown to 18 months behind bars and said the jail term was a “deterrent to others who seek to poison democratic and political debate by threatening those who disagree with you”.
Judge Gittins told Brown some of his statements were “chilling” and told him: “It is clear you hold some views that are extreme and appalling in relation to race and religion.
“You took exception to the local MP’s stance on withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
“You are perfectly entitled to hold a different view to anyone, as is she.
“What you are not entitled to do is threaten serious violence and death to that person holding a different view.”
Far-Right Criminals 