A former mayor could have “undermined the public’s faith in democracy” by making a false statement to become a councillor.

Ben Hamlin has been handed a suspended prison sentence after lying about his address to land a place on Alton Town Council.

The 76-year-old of Church Lane, Rowledge, declared he lived within 4.8kms of Alton for 12 months or more, when he actually resided well outside the permitted boundary.

But his March 2023 declaration wasn’t fact-checked, and Hamlin was elected mayor shortly after claiming the Alton Eastbrooke seat uncontested.

Hamlin was sentenced at Basingstoke & North Hampshire Magistrates Court after admitting to causing or permitting a false statement to appear in a nomination paper.

The court heard Hamlin – who in signing the paper, declared his submission to be accurate – was interviewed by police in February this year after a councillor raised a complaint.

The defendant made no secret of his address as he thought the district council would check, but duly resigned from the council.

The court heard in mitigation that Hamlin was a previous man of good character who admitted the offence in interview and voluntarily resigned from his position.

The defendant also claimed he was encouraged by the local Labour party chairman to apply as they wanted more seats and knew his application would be uncontested.

But his dishonesty had the potential to undermine public confidence in the democratic process with Hamlin being allowed to claim expenses totalling £119 in a public position. 

District Judge Apted handed Hamlin a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a £585 fine and costs and charges totalling £358.

He said: “There was a risk of serious harm resulting from the loss of public confidence in that you personally obtained a position of local councillor by providing false information.”