Howard Phillips, a 46-year-old man from Hertfordshire, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for a sustained stalking campaign against Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The court heard how Phillips sent hundreds of abusive emails and letters to Mr Shapps between 2020 and 2023, some containing disturbing threats. The harassment escalated to the point where Phillips turned up at the minister's constituency office and home.
A Campaign of Intimidation
Prosecutors described how Phillips' behaviour became increasingly threatening over time. His communications included:
- Repeated abusive emails targeting Mr Shapps and his family
- Threatening letters sent to the MP's office and home
- Unwanted visits to the politician's constituency base
The court was told Phillips had previously been given a harassment warning in 2020, but continued his campaign regardless.
Impact on the Victim
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Shapps described how the stalking had affected him and his family. The Defence Secretary said the constant threats had caused significant distress and forced him to increase security measures.
"This wasn't just political criticism," Mr Shapps stated, "it was a sustained campaign designed to intimidate and frighten."
Sentencing Remarks
Judge Rebecca Crane told Phillips his actions had crossed the line from free speech into criminal behaviour. "You engaged in a persistent course of conduct that caused serious alarm and distress," she said during sentencing at St Albans Crown Court.
The judge noted Phillips showed no remorse for his actions and continued to blame others for his situation.
Police Response
Detective Inspector Marcus Frost, who led the investigation, welcomed the sentence: "This case demonstrates we take stalking and harassment extremely seriously, regardless of who the victim is. Nobody should have to endure this kind of behaviour."
Phillips was convicted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and will serve half his sentence in custody before being released on licence.
