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Wigan man jailed after making ‘disturbing’ threats to kill local MP and attack NHS workers

"We will not hesitate to act where people make these sort of threats."

Emily Sergeant - 19th September 2024

A local man has been jailed after making “shocking and disturbing” threats towards an MP and NHS workers.

Ryan Breheny, from the Greater Manchester town of Wigan, appeared at Bolton Crown Court this week (Tuesday 17 September) after he called 999 back in June of this year and threatened to kill hospital workers, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

On top of these serious threats to kill, he also claimed to the 999 call operator that he had been offered an AK47.

Not long after this, GMP then revealed that the 48-year-old sent emails to an MP’s office with messages that contained more threats to kill.

Police officers attended his property following the call made to 999 and emails sent to the local MP, and when they knocked on his door, Breheny arrived with a crossbow and subsequently began to arm it, before being arrested shortly after.

Further weapons including air rifles, crossbow bolts, and a machete, were also discovered during a search of his house.

Recounting the order of events, a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesperson said in a statement that Breheny used the word “execute” multiple times in his call to 999, and referred to the specific weapons he was planning on using, as well as referring to chemicals he could get hold of and how “easy” it was to make a bomb.

“Less than an hour later, he sent two threatening email messages to an MP’s constituency office,” the CPS spokesperson added.

“The messages contained threats to kill the MP.”

Abbie Clarke, for the CPS said: “Breheny’s threats have caused fear and distress to the staff at the MP’s office.
“Members of Parliament and the emergency services play vital roles in our communities and criminality cannot be allowed to impede or affect that.

— CPS North West (@CPS_NorthWest) September 17, 2024

Breheny plead guilty to the aforementioned offences during a subsequent court appearance, and following this, was jailed for three years and three months for threats to kill at Bolton Crown Court this week.

“Breheny’s threats were shocking and disturbing, causing distress to those involved,” commented Detective Constable Cupitt, from GMP’s Wigan CID.

“We will not hesitate to act where people make these sort of threats and will seek to secure the appropriate charges.

Read more:

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• Atherton man handed lengthy jail sentence after ‘sinister’ sexual abuse investigation
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“We work closely with elected officials to ensure they can carry out their work without the fear of individuals who would cause them harm, and will always do our best to protect them and our communities.”

Featured Image – GMP