An East Cowes man who breached his restraining order against an Isle of Wight councillor has been spared jail.
Simon Wheeler, of Albany Road, has been sentenced by Portsmouth Magistrates Court, after he failed to appear before Island officials earlier this month.
Deliberately breached restraining order
Following a trial earlier this year, the 56-year-old, was found guilty of ‘deliberately’ breaching his restraining order, against Cllr Karl Love, twice in February and March 2022.
He was also found guilty of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Abusive language
The trial heard how Wheeler approached Cllr Love on East Cowes Esplanade and then attended a public meeting where the councillor was present, despite being banned from contacting him, following an incident in August 2021.
He was asked to leave the public meeting, but started shouting and swearing, during which he called Cllr Love a ‘f***ing c***’, in the presence of children and adults.
Suspended sentence
Magistrates determined Wheeler caused a disturbance by his refusal to leave and his actions clearly caused some alarm and distress, upsetting the public around him.
He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Two-year restraining order
Wheeler has also been made the subject of a two-year restraining order, not to directly or indirectly contact Cllr Love.
Wheeler also has to pay costs of £150 to the Crown Prosecution Service and £154 victim services surcharge.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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