Clifford Wilby Found Guilty of Harassing MP Stella Creasy on Tube

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram found Clifford Wilby guilty of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior with intent to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. The incident unfolded on July 15 last year, on a Victoria Line tube train traveling between Walthamstow Central and Finsbury Park stations.

Ms. Creasy recounted the encounter: "He stood up and blocked my ability to leave the carriage, he began talking to me about his concerns about my constituent, he was shouting although the Tube train is a loud environment." She added, "Obviously I was concerned that I was in an enclosed space with him. He was very close."

Wilby reportedly began talking to Ms. Creasy about his concerns regarding her constituent, shouting about knife crime, the dangers of London, and her 'failings as a Member of Parliament'. Ms. Creasy stated, "I stated very clearly this wasn’t an appropriate conversation to be having."

She also recalled, "He said ‘are you Stella Creasy?’, at that point my memory kicked in and I made the connection because I knew his face, he then confirmed he was Clifford Wilby." Wilby claimed he had hoped to continue a conversation about the constituent on the tube, but the MP "became quite agitated" and he was "quite shocked by her reaction," leading him to record on his phone "for my safety."

Wilby denied standing in front of Ms. Creasy and claimed she spoke to him first. He further asserted that he did not tell her in 2024 he had been diagnosed as a psychopath.

Ms. Creasy exited the train at Finsbury Park via a different door, aided by passengers who distracted Wilby. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram noted, "In relation to the conduct of the two members of public who intervened, the situation must’ve been such that there was concern for her safety, otherwise they would clearly not have intervened as they did."

An unnamed passenger was heard saying, "she’s saying leave her alone." Ms. Creasy expressed concern, stating, "I was worried that because Mr Wilby was escalating, he could turn his attention and his aggression to the other people on the train trying to protect me."

Wilby and Ms. Creasy had previously met on a Zoom call in 2024, which was ended due to Wilby's behavior. During that call, he reportedly referred to a diagnosis of psychopathy.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram concluded, "The prosecution have persuaded me that I can infer and the only reasonable inference that can be drawn from the evidence is that he wanted her to feel threatened in the circumstances, that he intended to cause her alarm or distress." He further stated, "His actions clearly were such that were not only causing alarm to Stella Creasy but his actions also demonstrated clearly that the was his intent, his intent by not desisting knowing that she wanted him to stop."

The magistrate delivered the verdict, stating, "For all these reasons I find the defendant guilty of the offence before the court." Sentencing for Wilby has been adjourned until September 8.