Online troll prosecuted after sending stream of abuse to Labour MP

Florence Eshalomi
UK Parliament
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An online troll sent a stream of offensive messages to a London MP after being enraged by her appearance on an LBC talk radio show, a court heard.

Brian Haven, 59, targeted Labour MP for Vauxhall Florence Eshalomi between December 2020 and February this year, making “highly personal” attacks on her appearance and political activities.

In one email, Haven blamed the MP for the introduction of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood and demanded that she cancel a fixed penalty ticket he had received.

“I expect all Lambeth LTN tickets to be removed…I am not here to debate,” he wrote.

Ms Eshalomi blocked Haven’s email addresses after receiving the abuse, but he switched to a different account to continue harassing her.

At Westminster magistrates court yesterday Haven was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and he was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the MP.

“These emails contained highly personal attacks focused on the physical appearance and character of an elected Member of Parliament. They were abusive, offensive and amounted to harassment”, said Michael Phillips, a senior CPS prosecutor.

“Haven’s actions made the victim feel worried about her personal safety and left her distressed.

“During police interview Haven admitted to sending the emails and claimed he had done so after getting wound up listening to talk shows on the radio through lockdown.

“Nobody should be subjected to such vile behaviour for carrying out their civic duty and the CPS will always aim to prosecute offenders who target elected individuals where there is the evidence to do so.”

Haven, from Brixton, pleaded guilty to one count of harassment, and was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service as well as to attend rehab sessions.

He is banned from contacting Ms Eshalomi for the next five years under the terms of a restraining order.

The MP, elected in 2019 and now the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, was previously a London Assembly Member and councillor in Lambeth.

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