A councillor convicted in court of harassment and dangerous driving apologised for his behaviour over the past four years after being re-elected by residents just months after being sentenced.

Councillor Tom Hollis (Ash Ind) has been returned as an Ashfield District Councillor for Huthwaite and Brierley after securing victory in Thursday's local election (May 4).

The Ashfield Independent defended his seat just over six months since he was sentenced in Nottingham Magistrates' Court following two trials.

The trials related to two separate incidents in 2020 in which he was charged and subsequently sentenced for harassment without violence and dangerous driving.

The conviction led to his sacking as deputy leader of the Ashfield Independent-led council, although he did remain in post as cabinet member for housing.

He continued to represent Sutton West on Nottinghamshire County Council and will now sit on Ashfield District Council for another four years alongside the ruling Ashfield Independents.

Cllr Hollis appeared at the authority's overnight count as results were confirmed at the new £15.5m Kirkby Leisure Centre.

He successfully staved off a challenge from Labour and the Conservatives to win the most votes of all six candidates standing in the ward.

Cllr Paul Grafton (Ash Ind) held onto the second seat in the ward which was previously won by Andrew Harding in 2019.

Former councillor Mr Harding dramatically left the party and publicly urged his voters to support Labour after expressing his disappointment in the Ashfield Independents.

However, this did not ultimately lead to Labour making a gain in the ward, with the Independents securing more than 100 votes more each than their Labour opponents.

Cllr Hollis, who was moved to tears shortly after the result, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I feel very honoured and privileged to represent my home village and part of the town on the council.

"I'm a normal person like everyone else and, frankly, I think more normal people should enter politics.

"Unfortunately, when you're in my job, you can't lick your wounds in private and you have it plastered all over the newspapers.

"It's been a tough time for my family, particularly my partner, I've lost both my grandparents and it has been a really tough time.

"Ultimately, residents have decided to put their faith back in me.

"I apologise for the way I've behaved, there's no getting around the fact I could have been better, but I am a normal person and I feel very privileged people have put their faith back in me to represent them on the council.

"I can only promise to do my best, as I've always done."

His victory was the 18th seat secured by the group on the night, allowing the Ashfield Independents to return a majority in the council chamber.

The group went on to win 32 out of a possible 35 seats, up from the 30 it secured in 2019.

Labour won one seat, taking Carsic off the Ashfield Independents, while the ruling group also lost Underwood to the Conservatives.

Cllr Phil Rostance (Con) was the only Tory to retain his seat in Hucknall West, while the Independents secured every other seat available during the poll.

The results for the Huthwaite and Brierley ward was:

Paul Grafton – Ashfield Independents (848)

Tom Hollis – Ashfield Independents (854)

John Howlett – Conservatives (359)

Stefan Lamb – Labour Party (726)

Jane Lilliman – Labour Party (690)

Graham Lynk – Conservatives (351)

ASH IND HOLD X2

(Turnout: 36.34 per cent)