LECHLADE’S disgraced former mayor has been sentenced following an unprovoked and sustained assault on a woman.

Ashley Gaunt, who served on Lechlade on Thames Town Council for three years, resigned as mayor on April 7 after he was convicted of the charge.

The day before his resignation, the 59-year-old appeared before Cheltenham Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Magistrates heard how Gaunt carried out the assault in Lechlade between November 22 and November 24 last year.

Gaunt, of Old Railway Close, Lechlade, was ordered to carry out unpaid work for 100 hours within the next 12 months and comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also handed a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim for the next 12 months, ordered to pay compensation of £300, pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £95 and pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Following the sentencing, a statement from Lechlade on Thames Town Council read: “Ashley Gaunt has resigned from Lechlade on Thames Town Council, as councillor and therefore mayor, with immediate effect. Council is offering no further comment on the matter.”

Gaunt was elected un-contested to serve on the council in May 2019, following the parish and town council elections. He was then elected as chairman and mayor.

On being appointed, Gaunt said: “Having taken early retirement, I moved to Lechlade in May 2017 and became a councillor in 2018.

“At the town council annual general meeting, I was honoured, privileged and somewhat humbled, to be elected to the important civic role of mayor.

“Throughout my tenure in office I give you my commitment that I will do my utmost to promote Lechlade at every opportunity.

“I am looking forward to maintaining and improving the local environment and to getting involved in the community.

“I believe there is a need to further develop a sense of pride in Lechlade, but what I love best about our town is its closeness to the countryside, its open tree lined roads and its friendly, down to earth people.”