A man has been charged in connection with an offensive and violent Tweet aimed at Robert Halfon.

Yesterday (June 29) Kier Ashby, 21, was charged with “sending by means of a public electronic communications network a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character”.

The charge was in relation to a message posted on Twitter and directed at Mr Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow as well as villages such as Nazeing and Hastingwood.

The Tweet was sent last Thursday (June 23).

Mr Ashby, of Rushes Mead, Harlow, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on July 13.

Superintendent Sean O’Callaghan said: “While people in public office attract comments on social media on a daily basis, the public must expect abusive or offensive messages that relate to violence to be dealt with robustly.”