A former Maldon Independent district councillor who breached a non-molestation order "made to protect" a woman has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Chrisy Morris, 47, went to the woman's address on 22 July 2019, the day after she moved home, despite being banned from doing so by a non-molestation order imposed in 2018, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Mr Morris, who represented himself during the trial, denied the charge.

He admitted to being present in the road during the incident, but said he was trying to find a terminally-ill friend's house, adding he did not know the woman had moved there the day before.

He was cleared of breaching a further restraining order against the same woman, after the prosecution claimed he had visited the same address on 5 January 2020 and allegedly smashed her and her partner's windscreens.

Mr Morris again denied the count, saying he was with friends at the Mill House Hotel on Maldon Road in Langford the entire time.

A jury unanimously found Mr Morris guilty of the first incident which took place in 2019, but cleared him of the second charge from 2020 last month.

In a victim impact statement read out by the prosecution after the verdict in January, the woman said she was "suffering from stress and anxiety daily".

She said: "I was driving to shops out of the area as I was always worried about bumping into him. I've had sleepless nights and I barely go out anymore."

She added: "I feel, yet again, wary of going out. Although there is a restraining order in place, Morris can do what he wants when he wants with no remorse.

"I know how he operates and how relentless he can be. He sees no wrong in what he does - it scares me."

Mr Morris was sentenced today (Monday, 28 February) to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Judge Timothy Walker said: "Putting your offending where I do and the distress caused, the matter is plainly so serious that custody is the only option I can adopt."

Mr Morris said: "I'm not the monster that this is trying to make me out to be."

He was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service, complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay costs of £500.

A five-year restraining order has been imposed to protect the victim.

Following the sentencing, Maldon District Council confirmed Mr Morris is no longer an elected member of the council - with immediate effect.

Richard Holmes, head of paid service at the council, said: "I can confirm that Chrisy Morris with immediate effect is no longer an elected member of Maldon District Council.

"Section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 states: 'If a custodial sentence of three months or more is handed down, then the elected member is automatically disqualified.'"

He added: "A number of staff and councillors have been impacted by Chrisy Morris' conduct and today's sentencing strips him of his ability to continue to behave in this way as an elected representative."

Mr Holmes advised residents to contact Councillor Michael Edwards if they need to contact their local councillor for the Heybridge West ward, which Mr Morris previously represented.

READ MORE:

- 'I'm suffering from stress and anxiety daily': Court hears victim statement following Maldon councillor Chrisy Morris verdict

- Maldon district councillor accused of breaching restraining order 'made to protect' woman says he 'wasn't there'