A 63-year-old woman has been handed an 18-month community order after sending death threats to former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Elizabeth Harker, of Luton, Bedfordshire, was sentenced on Tuesday at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard that on September 5 last year—the day Ms. Rayner resigned from the Cabinet—Harker left four 'grossly offensive' voicemails at the politician’s constituency office. The messages included slurs and explicit threats against the lives of both Ms. Rayner and her son.
District Judge Briony Clarke described the unprovoked attacks as 'deeply unpleasant', noting that Harker’s actions had a 'significant impact' on her victims. In addition to the threats against Ms. Rayner, the court heard details of an unrelated incident involving Harker’s neighbour, Dorris Fortune. Harker was captured on a doorbell camera hand-delivering a letter filled with slurs and accusations to Ms. Fortune’s home.
Ms. Fortune stated in a victim impact statement that the incident left her feeling 'anxious' in her own home, while Ms. Rayner described the threats as 'unacceptable' and 'distressing'. Harker previously pleaded guilty to sending communications of an indecent or menacing character.
During the proceedings, the court noted that Harker had no prior convictions and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offenses. They also acknowledged that the defendant expressed remorse and has since sought help through Alcoholics Anonymous. Judge Clarke ordered a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement to address the 'root cause' of the behaviour, alongside 200 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Furthermore, the judge imposed two five-year restraining orders, prohibiting Harker from any contact with Ms. Rayner or Ms. Fortune. Harker was also ordered to pay £199 in costs and statutory surcharges.
