Former Army Lance Corporal, 47, who threatened to shoot Alastair Campbell avoids jail

Former Army Lance Corporal, 47, who sent email to Alastair Campbell threatening to shoot him in the back of the head avoids jail

  • Lee Gould, 47, emailed Campbell to say: ‘I would happily put one in…your skull’ 
  • Gould sent the email during a mental health crisis, his prosecutor told the court 
  • He was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months 

A former Army Lance Corporal who sent an email to Alastair Campbell threatening to shoot him in the back of the head has avoided jail today.   

Lee Gould, 47, of Rochester, Kent, emailed Tony Blair‘s former spin doctor last 25 April to say: ‘I find it absolutely staggering that someone like you is able to mince around without serious harm to yourself or your family.

‘As a former guardsman I would happily put one in the back of your skull.’

Pictured: Lee Gould

Lee Gould (pictured), 47, of Rochester, Kent, emailed Tony Blair’s former spin doctor last 25 April to say: ‘I find it absolutely staggering that someone like you is able to mince around without serious harm to yourself or your family. ‘As a former guardsman I would happily put one in the back of your skull’

Prosecutor Fabio Vitiello said: ‘Mr Campbell said he is a man used to being sent abusive messages, but the personal nature of Mr Gould’s message stuck out to him.’

Gould sent the email during a mental health crisis related to his housing situation, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.

There was no evidence Gould had any relationship or obsession with the 63-year-old writer and broadcaster.

Mr Campbell, an outspoken Remain campaigner, said in a statement he was ‘used to receiving bad messages’ but this email was particularly shocking and worrying ‘due to the venomous references to family’.

He said the reference to Gould’s military background caused further alarm.

Greg Stewart, defending, said: ‘This was a random expression of anger, not linked to Mr Campbell personally.

Mr Campbell (pictured), an outspoken Remain campaigner, said in a statement he was 'used to receiving bad messages' but this email was particularly shocking and worrying 'due to the venomous references to family

Mr Campbell (pictured), an outspoken Remain campaigner, said in a statement he was ‘used to receiving bad messages’ but this email was particularly shocking and worrying ‘due to the venomous references to family

‘There was nothing personally related to Mr Campbell, and there is no reason to believe this incident will repeat itself.

‘It was an isolated incident, it was a random victim. If the symptoms flair up again it would not affect Mr Campbell again.

‘We urge the court not to impose a restraining order because it will send people the wrong signal about my client.

‘He is someone who has worked, and served this country in the past in a very meaningful way.’

Gould was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and ordered to not directly or indirectly contact Mr Campbell for five years. Pictured: Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

Gould was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and ordered to not directly or indirectly contact Mr Campbell for five years. Pictured: Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court

Gould, of Rochester, Kent, admitted one count of sending a letter, communication or article conveying a threatening message to Mr Campbell under the Malicious Communications Act, 1988.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and ordered to not directly or indirectly contact Mr Campbell for five years.

Gould, who served in the Army for ten years rising to the rank of Lance Corporal, will be supervised and will be recalled if he fails to comply with the court-ordered conditions.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge totalling £213.