Man from Gloucester denies stalking Jess Phillips with threatening emails
Lee Owens faces trial for allegedly sending aggressive emails to the Birmingham Yardley MP
A man from Gloucester has denied stalking Home Office minister Jess Phillips by sending a series of threatening emails.
Lee Owens, 47, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to stalking, following an earlier denial of a harassment charge.
Owens is accused of harassing Jess Phillips, the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, by sending her 31 emails between 22nd January and 25th January 2025.
He is also alleged to have sent an excessive volume of aggressive and threatening emails between 10th July and 14th July 2025, causing her serious alarm or distress, actions amounting to stalking.
Owens, who resides in Matson, Gloucester, has been granted bail under the condition that he does not attempt to contact Ms Phillips.
District Judge Nicholas Wattam informed Owens that his case would be sent to the crown court.
The case will go to Gloucester Crown Court on 19th May 2026 for a case management hearing.
The prosecution was represented by Anton Doyle, while Mike Hartnell acted on Owens' behalf.
Ms Phillips, noted for her role as minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, has been serving as a Labour MP since 2015.