Councillor who filmed and swore at rival convicted

Boone was found guilty at South Cheshire Magistrates Court

A councillor who confronted a political rival in the street, swore at him and called him a "scumbag" has been found guilty of abusive behaviour but cleared of an assault charge.

Cheshire West and Chester Councillor Simon Boone started filming Councillor Stuart Bingham who was canvassing for the Labour party in Winsford ahead of the local elections, South Cheshire Magistrates Court heard.

Boone, 56, then told him he was a "vile man" and tried to stop him passing.

The court heard he claimed Mr Bingham's leaflets, being hand out on Swanlow Lane on 30 April last year, were part of a "smear campaign" against him and another councillor.

Boone, who represents Winsford Swanlow, was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Mr Bingham had also alleged Boone had pushed him, but after being shown mobile phone footage and CCTV, magistrates said there was not enough clear evidence to convict on the assault charge.

Mr Bingham, who now represents Winsford Over and Verdin, said he had already been approached by a woman, before two men, including Boone, had accosted him.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said Boone, who was elected to represent Winsford Salt of the Earth in May last year but now sits as an independent, had told Mr Bingham what he was doing was illegal, adding: "The election's over".

'Panic attacks'

He swore at him and sidestepped from left to right as Mr Bingham tried to get past, the court heard

Mr Bingham told magistrates: “Since it happened I’ve changed the locks, got CCTV and my wife has had panic attacks.”

Boone argued that after being tipped off to Mr Bingham’s location, he had gone there to "gather evidence" about the alleged smear campaign.

He received a fine of £415, a surcharge of £166 and was ordered to pay a contribution to costs of £300.

Speaking after the verdict, Sergeant Paul Cundy, of Northwich Local Policing Unit, said: “We hope that this result demonstrates to others that nobody is above the law.”