A man accused of sending Plymouth Moor View parliamentary candidate Johnny Mercer a ‘grossly offensive’ email has had his trial delayed following a lack of judges.
Adrian Chapman, 58, of Winchester Gardens, Plymouth, previously appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court last year where he pleaded not guilty to the single charge of malicious communication.
He is alleged to have sent the email to then MP Johnny Mercer on February 27, 2023 via the Mr Mercer’s constituency website. The court was told the contents of the email were “aggressive” and “grossly offensive”.
Chapman told the Deputy Chief Magistrate – who appeared via a video link from London – that he wanted his trial to be heard in front of a jury. He was granted conditional bail and appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on May 28, 2024 where he confirmed his not guilty plea.
At that hearing he was told his case would be adjourned for him to appear at Exeter Crown Court for his trial. The court later confirmed that a further case management hearing took place on June 13, 2024 but the trial could not be listed until January 2, 2025.
PlymouthLive was told by court staff the trial date has been adjourned due to a temporary lack of judges at Exeter Crown Court. The trial has now been listed for February 13.
Chapman was released on currently on conditional bail and is not to contact Mr Mercer either directly or indirectly, nor to enter a named address in Plymouth. Mr Mercer lost his Parliamentary seat of Plymouth Moor View on July 4, 2024.
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