Overview

• Benjamin Clarke, 32, was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by an 18-month licence period at Teesside Crown Court for making threats to kill MP Sam Rushworth.
• The court heard Clarke made explicit threats, including promises to 'smash' the MP's head and set fire to a building he was in, terrifying Rushworth and his family.
• Clarke's fixation on the MP began shortly after Rushworth's election last year and escalated to include threats made to medical professionals and paramedics.
• An indefinite restraining order was imposed to protect Rushworth and his family, with Clarke also mandated to receive ongoing mental health supervision.
• Clarke's defense argued he never intended to act on the threats and highlighted his early guilty plea and prior good character.