Councillor admits harassing bar owner

A councillor has admitted harassing a businessman after hurling homophobic abuse during an altercation outside a bar in Gloucester, a court heard.

Alastair Chambers, 45, of Quedgeley, Gloucester, called Justin Hudson, 50, a "paedophile" and used homophobic slurs during the incident, which was partly recorded on a mobile phone.

Cheltenham Magistrates' Court heard the dispute broke out after a friend of Chambers was refused entry by door staff to Butler's Venue Bar, which is owned by Mr Hudson.

Holly Burton, representing Chambers, said the defendant admitted saying the words, but maintained they were "not made directly to the complainant".

Chambers, an independent councillor on Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council, had been due to stand trial accused of an offence under the Public Order Act of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

But as the trial was beginning, he pleaded guilty to harassing Mr Hudson in the early hours of October 5 2025.

"The defendant will state that in an attempt to remove a third party from an escalating confrontation with the door staff at Butler's he made a number of comments to this third party," Burton said.

"As such, the comments were not directed at Justin Hudson. However, as per the charge, it is accepted that the words were said with the intention of causing Justin Hudson alarm.

"The defendant accepts making all comments as per the recording."

Miss Burton said that Chambers maintained he had not made a series of other alleged comments.

Graham Dono, prosecuting, said Mr Hudson had previously been a councillor and there had "been some beef between the two of them" over the years and the abuse had caused Mr Hudson "alarm and distress".

"Those words were directed towards Mr Hudson's head of security. Mr Hudson himself, the victim, is standing right there," Dono said.

"That's why the basis plea has to reflect that the intention was that Mr Hudson hear those words because it's right next to the security guard."

Mr Dono said he would be applying for a restraining order against Chambers.

Miss Burton said she may be asking the court to impose a financial penalty by way of sentence.

District Judge Nicholas Wattam adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports and ordered Chambers, of Quedgeley, Gloucester, to return to court on December 7.

Addressing the defendant, the judge said: "You have admitted the offence on a basis and it is the basis upon which you will be sentenced.

"It remains a serious matter."

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