Gloucester councillor to appear in court on harassment charge
Alastair Chambers is leader of the Community Independent Group
A prominent councillor has been charged with harassment.
Alastair Chambers, 45, who is leader of the Community Independent Group in Gloucester, is alleged to have used “threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress” in an incident in October last year.
The offence under the Public Order Act is summary only – meaning it can only be dealt with in a magistrates court – and carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine.
Court papers show Chambers, of Quedgeley, Gloucester, is due before magistrates in Cheltenham on Thursday.
He told the Press Association: “I will deny the allegation.”
Chambers, who represents the Matson and Robinswood area on Gloucestershire County Council, is no stranger to controversy.
He was previously convicted of running an illegal puppy farm from his home, after selling dogs without a licence.
Chambers, who pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act, committed the offences before he was elected but was prosecuted by his own council while a councillor.
He was later ordered to pay Gloucester City Council almost £50,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act legislation and £30,000 towards legal costs.