Man accused of harassing Sunderland MP Julie Elliott on Twitter given new trial date

Leonard Lowther, of Roker Pier Cottages in Marine Walk, denies the charge of harassment without violence against Labour MP for Sunderland Central Julie Elliott.

The 65-year-old had been due to stand trial at Leeds Magistrates’ Court for a two-day trial starting on last October, then again on Tuesday, May 19.

However, it was moved into a holding court on August 18, due to the coronavirus crisis, when it was sent to South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court to be heard today, Wednesday, September 2.

District Judge Kathryn Meek was told Lowther has instructed a Leeds legal firm to represent him, having previously dismissed his team to represent himself.

The hearing agreed to schedule another pre-trial hearing on the afternoon of Friday, November 27, to ensure there are no issues to resolve.

The dates of Tuesday, February 16, and Wednesday, February 17, have been listed for the trial.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place between February 2018 and October 2018 in Sunderland, when it is said he used the social media platform to harass the MP.

District Judge Meek told the defendant he was released on bail until his next hearing, which will take place at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

She has said the trial is scheduled to take place at that court, but may be moved to another in the Northumbria Police area in time.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.