The chance of a serious sentence is small. However, in getting a guilty verdict, they had to prove one of his purposes of sending the message was to "cause distress or anxiety", not merely that such distress or anxiety was caused. This is why comedians aren't constantly hauled in on such charges because their role is clear.
Comments
The actual act of law behind this: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/27/section/1
The chance of a serious sentence is small. However, in getting a guilty verdict, they had to prove one of his purposes of sending the message was to "cause distress or anxiety", not merely that such distress or anxiety was caused. This is why comedians aren't constantly hauled in on such charges because their role is clear.