The judge said it was “a very fine line” on sentencing, adding: “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.”.
The former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has had his 10-week prison sentence for assault suspended for two years, after an appeal at Chester crown court.
The judge said: “What he said to police doesn’t seem to fit in with the CCTV in pretty well any respect.” He said Amesbury had told police a “pack of lies”.
On Wednesday the honorary recorder of Chester, Judge Steven Everett, sitting with two magistrates, imposed another sentence of 10 weeks’ imprisonment but suspended it for two years.
The appeal hearing was told Amesbury initially claimed he had been approached by a man “shouting and screaming” about local and national matters, including a local swing bridge and immigration.
