HYNDBURN MP Sara Britcliffe was left fearing for her own and her family's safety after receiving a string of threatening e-mails from a constituent.

Blackburn magistrates heard the e-mails sent by Howard Hudson became more and more threatening and the MP told police she became "genuinely concerned for my life and the lives of my family."

The court heard that in the messages Hudson referred to the MP as a "Tory scum bag" and told her to get out of the county.

He claimed to know where she lived in the borough and said her party were ruining the country.

The last one contained the chilling message; "family pain hurts."

Hudson, 58, of Buckingham Grove, Church, pleaded guilty to sending a communication containing a threatening message. He was remanded on bail until May 24 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, said the MP received between 200 and 300 e-mails a day regarding constituency business.

"Sadly, she is used to abusive messages but these were different and she showed the first one to a colleague," said Miss Kenyon. "When the second one landed the colleague urged her to report the matter."

At the time Miss Britcliffe had a friend staying at her home and, on police advice, she contacted the friend and urged them to leave the house immediately.

While she was discussing matters with the police she received a further e-mail telling her to leave Accrington "before bad things happen."

"She was worried about her family," said Miss Kenyon. "This was the first time she had believed there was a genuine threat to her life and that someone was genuinely trying to locate where she lives."

In a statement Miss Britcliffe said she had been genuinely panicked by the messages.

Miss Kenyon said Hudson had convictions for actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon in 2007 which resulted in a suspended prison sentence and actual bodily harm and threats to kill in 2013 which resulted in a prison sentence.

"Although they are of some age, you may consider these are relevant given the nature of this offence," said Miss Kenyon. "The victim is a Member of Parliament and the Crown says she has been targeted because of that public service."

Robin Phoenix, defending, described his client as a "keyboard warrior."

He said Hudson and other residents where he lived had received a letter from their MP saying she had managed to get a bus shelter provided for them.

"He actually wrote to Sir Keir Starmer saying that was what money was being wasted on," said Mr Phoenix.

He said Hudson suffered considerable ill-health and lived off benefits.

"He receives £450 a month and life is not easy," said Mr Phoenix. "The service charge for his property had gone up from £28 to £93 and he was struggling."

Mr Phoenix said Hudson had been a recovering alcoholic and had not drunk for five years prior to the day he sent the messages.

"He has made a massive mistake and he knows that," said Mr Phoenix.

"Fortunately this was stopped at a very early stage and the police attended his address and arrested him. He was taken to the police station, interviewed and released very quickly when the police realised he wasn't a genuine threat."

Ordering a pre-sentence report, the chairman of the magistrates said a custodial sentence was not being ruled out.

"What you did on that day was a despicable act against a public servant," he said. "She does not deserve threats or insults from anyone and this can not be tolerated."