MP admits assault at taxi rank following late-night altercation
A sitting Member of Parliament has admitted to assaulting a man during an altercation at a taxi rank in Cheshire.
Mike Amesbury, 55, the Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, pleaded guilty to common assault at Chester Magistrates' Court.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 26 October 2024 in Frodsham town centre. Amesbury, who had been drinking, punched a man multiple times following a dispute over a local bridge closure.
According to court evidence, the victim approached Amesbury at around 2am to discuss the closure. CCTV footage revealed that Amesbury responded by punching the man to the head, knocking him to the ground. The MP then pursued the man into the road and struck him at least five more times before bystanders intervened.
Despite being restrained, Amesbury was heard shouting, "Don't ever threaten me again." The court was told there was no evidence that the victim had been aggressive or threatening during the exchange.
The victim sustained minor injuries, including a head lump and a grazed elbow. Amesbury is due to be sentenced on 24 February 2025.
Alison Storey, Senior Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: “There was no evidence on the CCTV footage that the victim was being aggressive or threatening towards Mike Amesbury.
“Nor did the victim retaliate after being punched for the first time, or when he was struck again while on the floor.
“This was a persistent assault which continued while the victim was on the ground and not offering any aggression.
“The CPS will always seek to prosecute violent offences in accordance with our legal test regardless of who the perpetrator is.”
