Gloucester councillor denies harrassment charge
Alastair Chambers, 45, is accused of using homophobic abuse against well-known businessman during an incident outside a bar
Last updated 7th May 2026
A Gloucester councillor has denied harassing a well-known businessman during an incident in October last year (2025).
Alastair Chambers, 45, who is leader of the Community Independent Group at Gloucester City Council is alleged to have used homophobic slurs against Justin Hudson, 50, during an incident outside Butler's Venue Bar in Gloucester.
Chambers, from Quedgeley, Gloucester appeared at Gloucestershire Magistrates Court in Cheltenham today (7th May) accused of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
He entered a not guilty plea to the single charge of harassment under the Public Order Act.
The offence 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 an unlimited fine.
The court heard the dispute broke out after Chambers and a friend tried to gain entry to the bar, which is owned by Mr Hudson.
Cathy Thornton, prosecuting, said door staff believe Chambers’s friend was drunk and would not allow him in.
“It was about 2am on October 5 last year and Mr Hudson saw Mr Chambers and his friend walk towards the venue and stop outside,” she said.
“Mr Hudson and the door staff were outside, and the two men suggested they wanted to go inside and they were invited to step through a metal arch.”
Ms Thornton said the door staff believed the councillor’s friend was drunk and refused him entry to the bar.
“Mr Chambers looked on and made comments towards Mr Hudson calling him a nonce, a paedophile and a pervert,” she said.
“Mr Hudson moved away but could hear everything that was being said.”
Jane Taylor, defending, said the denial was because of a “lack of intent” to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The councillor, who is leader of the Community Independent Group in Gloucester, told the court he was likely to represent himself at trial because of “financial constraints”.
District Judge Nicholas Wattam said the defendant would not be allowed to cross-examine witnesses personally and he would either have to instruct a lawyer to do that or the court would appoint one.
A trial date was fixed for November 9, and Chambers was released on bail with conditions not to contact prosecution witnesses.
“You told me that you are not guilty so there will be a trial and that trial is fixed for November 9,” the judge said.
Chambers also represents the Matson and Robinswood area on Gloucestershire County Council and was first elected to both councils in 2021 as a Conservative.
He later left the Conservative Party and formed the Community Independent Group.
Mr Hudson is a well-know personality in Gloucester having owned Butlers Venue Bar for nearly 30 years.
The businessman worked alongside Chambers on Gloucester City Council as he was also elected as a Conservative councillor in 2021 and served until 2024.
Speaking outside court, Chambers described the hearing as “hard” because he could not “put my side across”.
“It’s very difficult. All I am allowed to say is guilty or not guilty,” Chambers said.
“What I wanted to say in court was that I did not intend to cause anyone alarm or upset.”