A TENANT who assaulted a council officer has been jailed for six weeks.

Mark Peto, of Woodview Road, Cam pushed a male Stroud District Council officer over while they were working, causing them to fall over onto some boxes on June 16.

This was in breach of an earlier injunction, and consequently Mr Peto was sentenced to 42 days imprisonment.

The incident took place at The Corriett in Cam - a Stroud District Council run retirement housing complex. 

A district judge sitting at Gloucester County Court issued a statement following the sentencing: “On June 16 Mark Peto assaulted an employee of Stroud District Council acting in the course of his employment by pushing him from behind causing the employee to fall over onto some boxes. 

“This assault was in breach of the injunction order dated May 26 personally served on the defendant on May 27. 

“The sentence is 42 days imprisonment minus one day already served on remand.”

SDC said that it has acted ‘fairly’ over the years to their tenant Mr Peto but said they won’t tolerate abuse towards staff.

Keith Gerrard, SDC strategic director of communities, said: “The council has acted fairly and reasonably in its approaches to Mr Peto over a number of months and years. 

“SDC will not however tolerate any kind of abuse towards council staff. 

“All council employees have a lawful right to carry out their duties without fear or harm or violence towards them.”