MP Mike Amesbury speaks outside court after admitting to attacking man at taxi rank

Amesbury has pleaded guilty to common assault at Chester Magistrates Court after attacking Paul Fellows, 45, outside a taxi rank in Frodsham

MP Mike Amesbury found himself in hot water after an altercation which was recorded outside a taxi rank in Frodsham became the subject of court proceedings at Chester Magistrates Court. The 55-year-old representative for Weaver Vale was captured on footage assaulting 45 year old Paul Fellows on October 26, 2024.

Initially, Amesbury claimed self-defence but later retracted his statement.

Addressing the media after admitting to common assault, Mr Amesbury expressed remorse over the incident, stating "Of course I'm sincerely sorry to Mr Fellows and his family."

Dressed in court-appropriate attire, he faced the music and listened as Prosecutor Alison Storey detailed how the two men, both having consumed alcohol, had disputed about a matter as trivial as a bridge closure. Amesbury's aggression escalated when he retorted 'it's nothing to do with me' and proceeded to aggressively approach and strike Mr Fellows.

CCTV footage revealed a longer interaction where Amesbury appeared agitated, repeatedly voicing 'what?'

' before delivering the first blow that sent Mr Fellows to the ground. Despite Mr Fellows being down, Amesbury continued his onslaught, hitting him five more times, a detail the court observed with concern.

Mr Amesbury was overheard warning: "Don't ever threaten me again... You won't threaten your MP again will you, you f***** soft lad."

Ms Storey recounted to the court that Mr Amesbury, presently an independent MP, no longer maintains his original assertion of self-defence as he had initially informed the authorities.

Defence barrister Richard Derby highlighted his clients profound 'shame and embarrassment' stemming from the episode. He further detailed the security concerns Mr Amesbury has faced discussing the installation of panic alarms in his residence owing to prior menacing occurrences.

"Rightly or wrongly Mr Amesbury took as some form of threat to himself," Derby noted. "There was obviously something said which he took umbrage to. The incident is regrettable and it is unfortunate."

Amesbury, who once served as a councillor in Manchester, has been representing Cheshire as an MP since 2017. Presently he serves as an independent MP for Runcorn and Helsby, following his suspension from Labour.

Unconditional bail has been bestowed upon Amesbury until February 24, at which point he is set to receive his sentence.