A MAN who threatened to shoot a politician, rip his ears off and defecate down his neck, causing him to be in fear of violence, will have to wait a little longer before he is sentenced. 

Michael Glendinning appeared at Preston Crown Court on Monday charged with harassment against Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry, spanning a period of 10 months from March 2020 to Janaury 2021.

At a hearing in June, Glendinning, 56, admitted leaving a series of voicemails for Darwen and Rossendale MP Jake Berry, threatening to shoot the MP by placing a shot gun between his buttocks, 'batter him', 'never take his foot off his neck', 'have sex with him', and called him numerous vile and expletive names, and was due to be sentenced in October.

However during that hearing, The Honorary Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham took the decision to adjourn the case in order for a further psychiatric report to be carried out on Glendinning of Edgemoor Close, Shawforth, Rossendale.

In proceedings on Monday, Judge Altham again adjourned the sentencing until Thursday so that psychiatrist, Dr Appleyard, who is currently suffering with Covid, could give his evidence via a video link.

Judge Altham said: "There is a chance I will make a hospital order and also impose a restraining order which will last for a number of years.

"The defendant will be released on bail but must come back to this court on Thursday where this case can be dealt with once and for all.

"Bail conditions that have always applied in this case, the non contact of MP Jake Berry, will continue to apply."

Prosecuting, Cecilia Pritchard said the defendant had first made contact with Mr Berry in 2012 requesting some help with a case involving HMRC.

Mr Berry assisted the defendant and as far as he was concerned the matter was resolved in 2012.

Ms Pritchard said: "However the defendant did not seem to be satisfied with the outcome and tried to contact Mr Berry on a number of occasions. He was then given advice by the police not to contact the MP.

"Despite this advice he continued to approach the MP, including on an occasion in 2018 while Mr Berry was with his young family in a Costa Coffee shop, and then again in 2019 while Mr Berry was in a supermarket.

"This then escalated from 2019 and into 2020 to a worrying level.

"The defendant left violent and abusive voicemails, and sent emails to the politician, making false allegations that the MP was a paedophile.

"The office of Mr Berry then installed a new recording and monitoring system and between March 2020 and May 2020 received 234 voicemails from the defendant, and then 63 between two dates in August.

"Some of the voicemails have been transcribed and can best be described as rambling and nonesensical."

Ms Pritchard read a number of the voicemails out in court, which detailed how Glendinning thought he was under the surveillance of MI5 and other government bodies, and was displaying acts of paranoia.

She said that on several occasions Glendinning accused Mr Berry of conspiring against his sister and also accused him of 'taking the p*** out of the NHS and the police'.

She told the court that the defendant had called the MP a 'snake' a 'scumbag' a 'bald headed pr***' and had said 'you know how it is, I am not going to take my foot off your neck, just like you've had yours on mine'.

Glendinning also threatened to have sex with Mr Berry, and told him he would 'batter him'.

Ms Pritchard added: "He sent a voicemail saying 'You are disgusting. I will rip your ears off and sh** down your neck. Leave my family alone and stop taking the p** out of my family, and the NHS. I will batter you. Who the f*** do you think you are taking the p*** out of my sister. Get out of town.'

"In August 2020 the defendant threatened to get a shot gun and shoot the MP. Then in January 2021 he threatened to put a gun up his bottom and shoot him.

"The threats in January prompted the MP to get in touch with the police again and he was interviewed and charged with harassment."

Ms Pritchard said the effects of the behaviour on Mr Berry were far reaching, and he was concerned for his safety and the safety of his family and staff members, with the threats to shoot the point where he asked for additional police help.

Mr Berry told police he believed the defendant was an 'unstabe and unpredictable individual and I was concerned he was going to come to the office and stab me'.

Ms Pritchard continued: "After the kiling of MP Jo Cox, MPs have been more concerned about their safety, but since then we have also had the sad death of MP David Amess.

"As an elected person he should be free to go about his duties without threats or intimidation."

Defending Glendinning, Bob Elias said his client still felt there was a conspiracy against him and felt that he was the victim.

Mr Elias said: "He feels he has been manipulated and it's clear he needs medical help.

"The defendant doesn't need punishing for these actions, he needs help."

Glendinning will be sentenced on Thursday, where it is hoped his psychiatrist, Dr Appleyard, will be well enough to give evidence and will recommend he is to serve a sentence in a secure hospital unit.