Man who sent abusive messages to former MP sentenced

A man who sent grossly offensive online messages to a former MP during a by-election campaign has received a 12-month community order.

Zafar Hussain, 25, sent a string of abusive posts to the Facebook account of Simon Danczuk ahead of the Rochdale by-election in February when the ex-Labour politician stood as a candidate for the Reform party.

In a video in which he brandished a Reform leaflet, Hussain made several abusive and offensive comments as well as calling Danczuk a Zionist and adding "you will never get the Asian vote".

A reference to Reform as "white devils" was also made, Manchester Magistrates' Court heard.

Danczuk, an ex-Labour MP in the town, reported the messages to the police and Hussain was arrested.

When interviewed, Hussain claimed the video had been uploaded to a private Snapchat group meant as "banter for his boys".

Hussain said he had been drinking alcohol, had not taken his medication and had mental health issues after he sustained a bleed on the brain following an attack in 2022.

He later pleaded guilty to sending a grossly offensive, menacing message contrary to the Communications Act.

In a statement read to the court, Danczuk said he felt "extremely concerned about the safety of myself and my family".

He said security arrangements had to be put in place but engagement with the public during the election campaign was "inevitably reduced" as he did not know what the perpetrator looked like.

He added: "All this upheaval and intimidation had an adverse impact on our campaign."

District Judge James Hulse told Hussain: "You received a leaflet that upset you and chose the most abhorrent way to react to that.

"In terms of politicians being able to do what is required, without that we have a very different society where they feel so threatened that they cannot go about their business."

He said the offence was racially aggravated because of the defendant's reference to "white devils".

He noted that Hussein, who has no previous convictions, was "contrite and honest" in his pre-sentence report interview.

Hussain, of Kellett Street, Rochdale, was given the community order with a requirement to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activities as well as a 12-month restraining order preventing any contact with Danczuk.

He was told to pay £85 court costs and a victim surcharge of £114.

After sentencing, Danczuk told the Press Association news agency the sentence was too lenient.

"This was sectarianism at its worst. I think he should have got a custodial sentence.

"It was an opportunity for the judiciary to send a clear message to extremists who disrupt Parliamentary elections and they have missed this opportunity."

He added it had a "major impact on our campaign" and "created real fear" among "our activists" and his family.

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