Man threatening to 'execute' Lisa Nandy and NHS staff loaded crossbow as cops arrived

Ryan Breheny, 48, greeted police while he loaded a crossbow after telling 999 he was planning to attack a hospital and kill Lisa Nandy

A man who threatened to kill culture secretary Lisa Nandy and "execute" hospital staff was armed with a loaded crossbow when police turned up at his door.

Ryan Breheny was arrested after sending threats to Lisa Nandy's constituency office in Wigan and telling a 999 call handler he was going to attack a hospital.

Police found a cache of weapons at the 48-year-old's home in the town, including slingshots, rifles, a baton and a machete.

Breheny, who admitted making a threat to kill, sending threatening communications, and common assault, was jailed for three years and three months on Wednesday.

Breheny had called 999 one evening in June to make a complaint about the NHS, the court heard.

He told the operator he had been "offered an AK-47" assault rifle and was going to "execute everyone" wearing a uniform at an unnamed hospital.

Continuing his threats, Breheny then referred to a range of weapons he planned to use - including chemicals he said he could access to "easily" make a bomb.

After the call, he sent two emails to Ms Nandy's constituency office, threatening to kill her and terrifying the office manager.

When police rushed to Breheny's home they were greeted by him brandishing a crossbow, which he began to load while opening the door.

Detective Constable Cupitt, from GMP’s Wigan CID, said: “Breheny’s threats were shocking and disturbing, causing distress to those involved. We will not hesitate to act where people make these sort of threats and will seek to secure the appropriate charges.

“We work closely with elected officials to ensure they can carry out their work without the fear of individuals who would cause them harm, and will always do our best to protect them and our communities.”

Breheny admitted making the threats but told officers he had no intention of carrying them out.