Man banned from going near gay MP

Rees was 'engaged in debate' with other politicians, the court heard

A man said to "despise" homosexuals has been banned from going within 100m of his gay MP.

Paul Lewis Rees, 38, of Llwynypia, Rhondda, admitted harassing Chris Bryant between 2001 and 2004.

Rhondda magistrates had previously heard how Rees, harassed the Rhondda MP during political surgeries.

After the hearing the MP said: "Mr Rees has every right to dislike me or my politics... but he has no right to threaten me and my staff."

A two-year restraining order imposed on Rees also banned him from making attacks on Mr Bryant's sexuality and from threatening or doing anything in terms of harassing him.

The defendant holds deeply entrenched views in relation to a number of matters. Homosexuality is one of them Nick Lloyd, solicitor

Rees, who is unemployed, was also sentenced to a 220-hour community punishment order, to be completed within a year.

Nick Lloyd, in mitigation, said Rees was also "engaged in debate" with other politicians, including Welsh assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

He told the hearing: "The defendant holds deeply entrenched views in relation to a number of matters. Homosexuality is one of them."

But there was far more to Rees than "a hatred of homosexuals," he said.

"He is deeply concerned with the countryside, funding for the local community, unemployment and so on."

"He has given other politicians a hard time for his perception of failures within the community."

Chris Bryant became Rhondda MP in 2001 with a 16,000 majority

Rees also believed there was a "lack of moral leadership" in the area, "highlighted by the activities of the local MP," said Mr Lloyd.

"That is why he confronted him in relation to his homosexual activities." Mr Lloyd said Rees "may despise homosexuals" but his "prime motivation is not homophobia".

District judge Anthony Smith-Jones told Rees: "Your conduct is something that simply cannot be tolerated."

After the case, Mr Bryant said in a statement: "I pressed charges because Mr Rees has every right to dislike me or my politics, he had every right to disagree with me when I voted to ban hunting, but he has no right to threaten me and my staff or disrupt my surgeries.

"I will not let his thuggish behaviour get in the way of my doing my job standing up for the Rhondda."