OLDHAM'S Jim McMahon became 'anxious' and 'withdrawn' during a prolonged campaign of online abuse lasting more than two years, the MP has said.

Mr McMahon, who has served Oldham West and Royton since December 2015, made the admission in a victim impact statement given to Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on October 5.

In the dock was Daniel Fink, 43, of Princess Street in Eccles, who had admitted to sending a threatening message to the MP on Facebook on May 1, 2020.

But in his victim impact statement, Mr McMahon said Fink's message was one of 'thousands' he has received on social media in the last two years or more.

He said: "The period has been highly distressing and has had a significant impact on me and my family. During this time, I have been subjected to a significant amount of verbal and online abuse."

The MP described how he has added to his home's security out of concern for the tone of the online abuse and on the advice of Greater Manchester Police.

He said Fink's message, which he has since shared with The Oldham Times, stood out as 'distressing' and 'extreme'.

He said: "I had become anxious and increasingly withdrawn throughout this period.

"When I saw the incoming messages from Daniel Fink, I took the threat seriously.

"The content and language used was distressing and extreme, and it caused significant anxiety to me and my family."

The timing of Mr McMahon's admission is significant, as MPs' safety is in the headlines after the fatal stabbing of Sir David Amess during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15.

The MP said he still fears for his safety almost 18 months after Fink's message, as a wider campaign of online abuse continues.

He said: "Because of [Fink's] actions, the intimidation he set out to instil remains.

"No one should be allowed to make another person fear for their own life – or those they care about – or be subjected to abuse."

Fink was given an eight-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, as well as a fine of £500.

Magistrates also ordered him to cover costs and a victim surcharge totalling £263.