Pensioner admits sending death threat to Powys MP Fay Jones

The letter sent to the Brecon and Radnorshire MP asked for money and said Jones would be "stabbed to death" if she did not pay out.

The letter included a threat to "insert a knife on the left side of the human neck", saying she would be "stabbed to death", and referred to Jones and members of Powys County Council as "you Welsh people".

The letter was handwritten by Charles Turner, a 64-year-old man from Godiva Road in Leominster. 

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Turner was represented at a hearing at Hereford Magistrates' Court on February 14 by solicitor Matt Lewis, who said that the letter was sent immediately after the defendant was discharged from hospital having suffered a haemorrhage.

Turner had also been caring for his elderly mother at the time of the offence. 

The court heard that Turner was "overcome by upset and disappointment" when he was interviewed by police, and showed remorse for his actions.

His sentencing was adjourned, with a legal advisor saying he may need to be sentenced by a district judge at Kidderminster, or at a court in London, because the victim of the offence was an MP.

The location and date of Turner's next court appearance have not yet been confirmed.

Earlier this week it was confirmed that a £31 million security package was to be put together to protect MPs from threats, including providing elected politicians with a dedicated police contact to liaise with over safety issues.

The Prime Minister discussed a new “democratic policing protocol” with police chiefs, which would see more patrols and “provides clarity that protests at elected representatives’ homes should be treated as intimidatory”.