Cheshire MP Mike Amesbury, who repeatedly punched a constituent during a row in the street, has been released from prison after a judge agreed to suspend his 10-week sentence for two years.

The Runcorn and Helsby MP, who admitted assault, had been sent straight to jail after his sentencing hearing at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Hearing Amesbury’s appeal, a judge at Chester Crown Court said that while the length of the sentence had been “spot on”, it should be suspended.

Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett also ordered Amesbury to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work, undertake a 12-month alcohol monitoring programme, go on an anger management course and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation work.