Former Selston councillor gets suspended sentence after cruel remarks relating to a neighbour’s disability

Diane Butler appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for sentencing after she pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The court heard Butler 56, of Hooley Street shouting obscene and insulting remarks during a confrontation which was recorded on audio from a CCTV at 6pm on April 24.

District Judge Diane Baker was told that there was a “history” between the families of Butler and the disabled victim.

The two families had been close friends for years but had fallen out after a lodger moved in to the neighbour’s house.

Prosecuting, George Speed said the defendant’s husband had allegedly blocked in the lodger’s car and the neighbour had threatened to call the police.

Defending Butler, Stephen Cobley said it had been a spontaneous outburst by Butler in a ‘pressure cooker situation’ and both she and the complainant had used bad language.

A victim impact statement was read out in court in which the neighbour said they had been ‘mortified’ by the abusive language.

“My family was shocked and stunned by what happened that day especially as she was a parish councillor.”

The family say they are moving to another address.

The Judge read several testimonials to the good character of Butler, who had been a councillor at Selston Parish Council for eight years until she resigned over the case earlier this year.

District Judge Diane Baker said: “Very rarely have I seen such a number of good references.

“You are an incredibly selfless person who has put herself out not just for but for the community around you and you are a highly respected councillor

“I have to balance that with your appalling language .

“I have no doubt you felt thoroughly ashamed when you listened to that

“No doubt you snapped on that day and made appalling unkind remarks.”

“These words were said to someone who suffers from a disability, which is an aggravating factor.

“You cannot use that kind of language to someone. It was cruel language.”

She sentenced Butler to six weeks imprisonment suspended for a year, fined her £250, with a victim surcharge of £80 and criminal court charge of £150.