Man admits sending Joanna Cherry threatening messages

A MAN has admitted sending threatening Twitter messages to MP Joanna Cherry just hours after she was sacked from the SNP front bench.

Grant Karte appeared at Edinburgh Sherriff Court on Friday, charged under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

The 30-year-old sent threatening messages to Cherry’s Twitter account including “You have 24 hours or I will f*** you like you f****d Scotland”.

Solicitor Simon Collins, defending, said his client was angry at the time and was “trying to find answers to what was happening within the [political] party”.

He said Karte had a previous conviction for possessing a knife and added he is “embarrassed by his actions” but does not consider himself to be violent.

Speaking after the guilty plea, Cherry said the messages sent were “grossly offensive and of an indecent, obscene, and menacing character.” 

She added:  “A recent survey of parliamentarians showed that while politicians of both sexes receive abuse and threats, it is largely female politicians who receive threats of sexual violence. I believe that this is a problem which requires to be acknowledged. 

“At the time of the offence, Mr Karte was a member of a branch of the SNP where there have been a significant number of complaints about abuse of women by younger men. Had these complaints of abuse, and the targeting of me and other women on social media been addressed, it is likely that this behaviour would not have escalated to the scale of threats of sexual violence.” 

The Edinburgh South West MP was sacked as the SNP's Westminster spokesperson on Justice and Home Affairs on February 1.

Sheriff Alistair Noble deferred sentencing on Karte until next month for the preparation of social work reports.

The SNP has been approached for comment.