A DISTRICT council vacancy has been created following the removal of a councillor who has been sentenced for breaching a court order.

Former Heybridge West councillor Chrisy Morris was removed as a member of Maldon District Council yesterday (February 28) after he was handed a suspended sentence.

Morris was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, in Chelmsford Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of breaching a non-molestation order.

READ MORE: Disqualified councillor avoids prison after breaching court order

After the sentencing yesterday Richard Holmes, head of paid service at Maldon District Council, said: "Based on the sentence handed down today, I can confirm that Chrisy Morris with immediate effect is no longer an elected member of Maldon District Council."

He added: "The council takes this matter very seriously.

"For now, I can say that the council has carried out its own conduct investigations and these have shown Chrisy Morris to be a person who has the capacity to ‘lie, mislead and intimidate’.

"A number of staff and councillors have been impacted by Chrisy Morris’ conduct and today’s sentencing strips him of his ability to continue to behave in this way as an elected representative."

A casual vacancy now exists for district councillor for Heybridge West Ward.

A by-election will take place to fill the vacancy if returning officer Paul Dodson receives two requests from any electors within the district asking for an election to be held.

Residents living within the ward who have issues they would normally raise with Mr Morris can contact councillor Michael Edwards via email at cllr.michael.edwards@maldon.gov.uk or call 07711 797279.