Councillor convicted of threatening and abusive language in street towards another councillor

A Cheshire West and Chester Council member has been found guilty of using threatening and abusive language with intent to cause distress after rowing with a fellow councillor in the street.

Cllr Simon Boone was also accused of assault but was found not guilty by South Cheshire Magistrates Court.

The incident occurred ahead of the local elections in May 2023.

Cllr Boone, who was campaigning as a member of the 'Winsford Salt Of The Earth' party, had accused Labour councillor Cllr Stuart Bingham of distributing leaflets designed to "smear" him.

In a statement, Cllr Boone said he confronted Cllr Bingham in the street after being told the Labour councillor had been spotted out leafletting.

Cllr Boone, who is now an independent councillor, said he "used slang words to describe my opinion of him," called Cllr Bingham a "scumbag," and shouted "elections over d*******" before leaving.

Cllr Bingham later accused Cllr Boone of assault, claiming that he had been shoved.

The police charged Cllr Boone with assault by beating and use of threatening and or abusive language with intent to cause distress.

Commenting on the Magistrates' decision, Sergeant Paul Cundy of Northwich Local Policing Unit, said: "Today, Friday 21 June, Cllr Boone appeared in front of an independent panel of Magistrates' who, after hearing all of the evidence, found that he was guilty using threatening and abusive language with intent to cause distress and not guilty of assault.

"We hope that this result demonstrates to others that nobody is above the law."

The magistrates' also ordered Cllr Boone pay a £415 fine, plus costs. He was awarded up to 50% of costs he had paid to his solicitor back.

Adam Carey