A 60-year-old who sent an anthrax hoax to the prime minister has been jailed.
Vincent Potter, who suffers from schizophrenia, falsely claimed the potentially lethal powder was contained in a letter he posted to Theresa May in August last year.
The letter never reached its intended target, as it was intercepted by specialist postal workers.
Potter, from Mayfield, East Sussex, was handed an 18-month sentence at the Old Bailey on Friday.
Judge Rebecca Poulet QC said: “In my judgment the person sending this frightening letter to the prime minister intending them to fear for their safety must be punished by immediate custody.”
Last month, Potter pleaded guilty to making a noxious substance hoax on or before August 23 last year.
He was arrested as part of a counter-terror investigation, but not charged with a terrorist offence.
Upon pleading guilty, he was told by Judge Anthony Leonard: “You must understand this is a very serious offence and the sentencing options are very limited.”