84-year-old man convicted of sending threatening letters to South Yorkshire MPs

AN 84-YEAR-OLD man who sent threatening letters to Wentworth and Dearne MP John Healey and two parliamentary colleagues was convicted in his absence after failing to turn up to court.
By Jill Theobald
Published 1st Mar 2022, 11:26 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2022, 11:46 BST

Donald Wood was found guilty by a jury on Friday of sending threatening letters to MPs Dan Jarvis, John Healey and Stephanie Peacock between March 23 and 27, 2019.

He was convicted of three offences under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court of sending “a letter which conveyed a threat for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom you intended that it or its contents or nature should be communicated”.

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A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said Wood, of Roundacre, Barnsley, had “failed to appear at court for his trial”.

They added: “Wood is due to be sentenced on 5 April 2022. If he has not returned by that date, he will be sentenced in his absence.” 

Mr Healey’s office has been approached for comment.

Related topics:Barnsley