An East Cowes man has pleaded not guilty to twice breaching a restraining order against an Isle of Wight Councillor.
Simon Wheeler, 55, of Albany Road, also pleaded not guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday).
It follows an incident at an East Cowes Town Council meeting at the end of March where Mr Wheeler is alleged to have broken his restraining order against Cllr Karl Love.
12-month restraining order
Mr Wheeler was made the subject of a 12-month restraining order against Cllr Love last August, after magistrates found him guilty of using threatening, abusive and insulting words with the intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
It is alleged Mr Wheeler broke the terms of the restraining order twice — the latter at the town meeting — but previously on 25th February when Cllr Love and his partner were walking their dog on East Cowes Esplanade.
Trial set for September
The case will now go to trial on 15th September.
Mr Wheeler has been bailed, but with conditions to not enter or go within ten metres of East Cowes Town Hall on York Avenue.
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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