MP Mike Amesbury admits punching man - and will remain suspended from Labour Party

Local MP Mike Amesbury has pleaded guilty to assault by beating for punching a man in Cheshire.

The Runcorn and Helsby MP appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning where he admitted attacking 45-year-old Paul Fellows in Main Street, Frodsham, Cheshire, in October.

Speaking outside the court, he said the incident was "highly regrettable" and he was "sincerely sorry" to Mr Fellows and his family.

CCTV footage showed Amesbury, who has been an MP since 2017, punching Mr Fellows on the ground.

Other previously released videos from another angle show Amesbury punching Mr Fellows repeatedly after knocking him to the floor as members of the public intervened.

It was reported to police at 2.48pm on Saturday 26 October.

The court heard how Amesbury told Mr Fellows "you won't threaten your MP again" after punching him in the head with enough force to knock him to the ground.

The 55-year-old politician is currently an independent MP after he was suspended by Labour at the end of October when the CCTV footage emerged.

He will continue to be suspended so remains as an independent.

The court heard Mr Fellows recognised Amesbury in the taxi rank in Frodsham town centre at about 2am on 26 October last year.

Both were alone and had been drinking.

Alison Storey, prosecuting, said Mr Fellows approached the MP to remonstrate about a bridge closure in the town and CCTV then shows they spoke for several minutes but there was no aggression or raised voices.

Mr Fellows then started to walk away but Amesbury re-engaged and was heard saying "what" a few times before shouting it.

The victim then put his hands in his pockets and turned towards the taxi queue and when he turned back Amesbury punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground.

He then punched Mr Fellows again, at least five times, Ms Storey said.

She told the court he was then heard saying "you won't threaten your MP again will you".

Amesbury was voluntarily interviewed under caution by Cheshire Police in October and was charged with common assault on 7 November.

At the time, Amesbury said what happened was "deeply regrettable" and he was co-operating with police.

A Labour Party spokesman said:

"It is right that Mike Amesbury has taken responsibility for his unacceptable actions.

"He was rightly suspended by the Labour Party following the announcement of the police investigation.

"We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are still ongoing."

Amesbury is set to be sentenced next month. If he is sent to prison or given a suspended sentence he could lose his seat.

A sentence of less than a year, even if it is suspended, would leave him liable to the recall process, which would trigger a by-election if 10% of registered voters in his seat sign a petition calling for it.

A jail term of more than a year would mean he automatically loses his seat.

Pictured - Local MP Mike Amesbury.