A Nottinghamshire councillor says he "makes mistakes like everybody" after being re-elected in local elections less than a year on from his court conviction. Voting took place across Ashfield and the wider country on Thursday (May 4) for people to choose their local representatives.
The Ashfield District Council election saw the Ashfield Independents increasing their number of councillors to 32, leaving opposition parties with just three members between them. One of the successful Ashfield Independent candidates was Tom Hollis.
Tom Hollis, who served as the lead member for council and social housing on Ashfield District Council before the election, appeared in court last September and was found guilty of harassing his neighbours. He was also found guilty of careless driving in his Range Rover after a night out at the bingo.
Read more: Live Nottinghamshire local elections updates as counts continue
Mr Hollis serves as a member of the Ashfield Independents, who have maintained control of the council, on behalf of the Huthwaite and Brierley ward. Following his conviction last year, Mr Hollis said he needed a "period of time to reflect" on whether he would stand again in this year's elections.
But Mr Hollis put himself forward once again this year as an Ashfield Independents candidate for Huthwaite alongside Paul Grafton. His confidence proved well-placed following vote counting at the Kirkby Leisure centre late on Thursday and going into Friday morning, with people choosing to re-elect him.
Speaking after his victory, on whether anyone brought up his court case during the campaign, Mr Hollis said: "Everybody knew about it, but frankly, I make mistakes like everybody and I think there should be more normal people in politics. We all make mistakes, but some of us get to do it in private - I don't get that luxury.
"The big parties made it all about 'don't vote Tom' and I think it backfired on them. Nastiness doesn't get people anywhere, all the big two presented was negativity and people rejected that."
Mr Hollis secured 22% of the vote share in this year's local elections. He now says his priorities for the next four years will include reinventing the big spring clean and holding the county council to account for the state of roads.
Mr Hollis added: "People don't like the big parties, but ultimately people have voted positively for the Ashfield Independents for the work we've done. I just want to carry on with the work we've done on those real community issues.
"I care because I'm invested personally and that's what I think people voted for. I'm getting married in the summer, my kids will be using all these facilities, and I want to bring my family up locally.
"I'm grateful that people have come out to support me because it's easy to look after someone when the sun is shining but on a rainy day, I really feel lucky that people came out for me." Mr Hollis also remains a member of Nottinghamshire County Council, which operates on a different electoral cycle.
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