He Was Banned From Standing as a Candidate in Elections Over What He Said to a Former Councillor, Which the Judge Said Was Severe.

A former parish councillor has been sent to prison after making what a judge described as a serious death threat to an MP during a funeral while demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

Farris Willson, who previously served on Tovil Parish Council, was found guilty of using threatening behaviour against former Conservative MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Rehman Chishti. The case was heard in court earlier this year, and after sentencing was delayed for mental health and pre-sentence reports, Willson has now been jailed for 18 weeks.

The incident happened on December 29, 2023, during a funeral service at Chatham Cemetery. According to the court, both men were attending the funeral when Willson walked over to Mr Chishti as people gathered near the graveside.

The court heard that Willson demanded the MP help secure a ceasefire in Gaza before making a shocking threat. He allegedly told Mr Chishti: “Get me a ceasefire or I will put you in that grave. I know where your office is and if you don’t get me a ceasefire I will be coming again for you.”

District Judge Stephen Leake said the words amounted to a death threat and explained that the former MP had every reason to fear for his safety. The judge noted that MPs had faced increasing hostility over the conflict in Gaza and that two serving MPs had previously been murdered while carrying out their public duties. Because of this, the court accepted that Mr Chishti took the threat very seriously and reported it to the parliamentary police liaison officer.

The judge told Willson that although he did not believe the funeral had been attended with the intention of targeting the MP, he had deliberately approached him during the service to intimidate him. He said the threat was made in an aggressive manner and was clearly intended to pressure the MP into supporting a particular political position.

The court also heard that after making the first threat, Willson walked away before returning again to demand a ceasefire, making the confrontation even more frightening for the former MP.

As part of the sentence, Willson was not only jailed but was also banned from standing as a candidate in elections for the next five years. In addition, the court imposed an indefinite restraining order which permanently prevents him from contacting Mr Chishti or attending events where the former MP is present.

Willson, who lives in Week Street, Maidstone, had denied the charge throughout the case. He pleaded not guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. However, following a trial in April, the judge found him guilty.

During sentencing, Judge Leake stressed that the court had to take threats against elected representatives extremely seriously. He said the comments were designed to frighten and intimidate an MP into changing his political position, describing the incident as an act of violent intimidation.

Willson became emotional as he stood in the dock and cried after being told he would be sent to prison. He received an 18-week sentence and is expected to serve around half of that time in custody before being released under the normal rules. He was also ordered to pay £650 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £154.

Before the incident, Willson had been active in local politics. He previously stood as a Green Party candidate in the 2024 Maidstone Borough Council elections for the High Street ward. During his campaign, he described himself as a community organiser who had previously worked as an engineer and had also served in the Royal Navy. He was unsuccessful in the election, finishing seventh after receiving 358 votes.

Although he had no previous criminal convictions, the court heard that Willson had previously received police cautions for harassment and theft. The judge said the seriousness of the threat made an immediate prison sentence necessary.