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Man jailed for sending antisemitic messages to MP

In Leeds, the constituency office of MP Alex Sobel received messages that targeted Jewish people between March 6 and March 15, 2024, as Kevin Smith, 61, pleaded guilty.
A pre-sentence probation report said Kevin Smith showed little remorse and disliked MPs, while Tal Spiegel, defence solicitor, said Smith was politically focused on the war in Gaza, isolated, and intoxicated.
Court heard that most messages were generally unpleasant and offensive, with many containing explicit threats targeting Jewish people, causing concern for Mr Sobel's family's safety, District Judge David Kitson said.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the right to freedom of expression does not extend to menacing messages, and a restraining order prevents Smith from contacting Sobel except for constituency work.
District Judge David Kitson reduced a 10-week term to eight weeks as an act of mercy for Smith's health and said he will serve 40%, referencing the 2016 Jo Cox murder.

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