Man admits making threatening phone calls to London MP Mike Freer's office

James Phillips, 46, was charged after the Conservative MP reported receiving an abusive and threatening phone call
James Phillips court case
James Phillips leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court
PA
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A man is facing a possible prison term after admitting making menacing phone calls to the office of north London MP Mike Freer.

James Phillips, 46, appeared in the dock at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday to admit making a series of calls to Mr Freer’s office, as well as assaulting a police officer after he had been arrested.

The court heard one of the MP’s assistants picked up two “heavy breathing” calls on January 31, followed by a third call from the same number in which a man spoke.

“Make sure you tell the police I’m coming for you, you c**t”, Phillips said to the assistant. “Not just Mike Freer, but you as well.”

Phillips was tracked through his phone number, having made previous calls to Mr Freer’s office, and he was arrested at his home in Turnpike Lane on February 6.

Prosecutor Adrita Ahmed said Phillips later refused to leave his police cell, and swung his fist at an officer who tried to interview him through the cell door.

James Phillips court case
James Phillips has been charged with malicious communications and assaulting a police officer
PA

She said Phillips complained about being “homeless for 20 years” and having “rats crawling in my house”, and added: “They treat me like a c**t, then I treat them like a c**t and I get arrested.”

When he was eventually interviewed, Phillips admitted making the menacing phone calls, and when asked his intentions he replied: “Could be anything.”

The court heard he also complained about no one helping with his housing situation, and added: “I’m justified in having the hump.”

A separate investigation into an arson attack at the MP’s office on Christmas Eve is ongoing, with a man and a woman charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

Mr Freer has said his decision to stand down as an MP was motivated in part by the threats and abuse he has faced, and he has decided to prioritise his family.

MP Mike Freer reported receiving a threatening phone call last week
PA Archive

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring freed Phillips on bail until a sentencing hearing on March 6, on the condition he does not contact Mr Freer or his staff, stays away from Westminster or the MP’s constituency office, and sleeps each night at his Turnpike Lane home.

The judge ordered an assessment of Phillips’ mental health, and warned him: “Custody is not inevitable, but it is certainly something I will be considering.”

Phillips pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and making a grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing phone call.

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