A FRAUDULENT politician who 'breached the trust' of the public by filling in candidate nomination papers himself has been handed a suspended sentence.

Steven Gillingwater, of Tennyson Way, Britwell, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or permitting a false statement to appear in a nomination paper in relation to the Slough Borough Council local elections in May last year.

The offences were committed between March 26, 2015 and May 9, 2015, and the 26-year-old was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment for each offence at Slough Magistrates' Court yesterday (Monday), to be served concurrently, suspended for 12 months.

Gillingwater, acting as an agent for UKIP, falsified electoral nomination papers for two candidates in last May’s local government elections. He said that he had added names of people that he met at a bus stop to support the nomination of candidates.

Police officers visited 20 witnesses whose names appeared on the forms and obtained 15 statements, all of whom confirmed that they had not signed the nomination form.

One of the nomination papers, for Sherine Lake standing for UKIP in Wexham Lea ward, was handed into the returning officer by Gillingwater, and Zoe Martin, prosecuting, said it was "extremely untidy with corrections made throughout the paper".

She added that Diana Coad, the parliamentary UKIP candidate at the time and election manager, was "surprised and shocked" over Gillingwater's actions, and resubmitted a fresh form signed by electors.

The candidates had no involvement in Gillingwater’s offences.

A probation officer said that Gillingwater has a history of mental and physical health issues, and has been taking medication for depression and asthma, as well as painkillers.

The officer added: "He said he got mixed up with what was fantasy and what was reality. He said it is a common occurrence due to his medication.

"He was unable to explain his actions as he doesn't remember committing the offence.

"He pleaded guilty as he is too anxious [about a trial] and he must have committed the offences because of the evidence presented to him.

"He said he was under a lot of stress and that he was bullied by members of the party. He said he was questioned about his disability and there were homophobic comments."

District judge Khan said: "Being an election agent is a position of some responsibility. It was not that he was just a helper. There is a suggestion of a breach of trust.

"It was deliberate and it was not just a one off accident. The key thing is that there must be a deterrent and to protect the democratic process."

He added: "These are serious offences. The reason that they are serious are that they undermine the fundamental process in democracy of having electoral processes of complete integrity.

"As soon as you committed these offences it undermines the whole system and people need to trust people such as yourself getting involved.

"It has been agreed that the aggravating factor in your case was that you were an agent of UKIP. You were thrust in to the position but it was a senior position and you were in a position of trust - you have let your former party down.

"On your complex mental health needs, I am surprised that the party put you in that position.

"To make an immediate imprisonment would be wrong. It justifies custody but your vulnerability means it would be harsh."

Gillingwater defected to the Tories from UKIP after the council elections, having held the position of chairman of the UKIP Slough branch, and was due to stand as a candidate in the council elections next month but withdrew has candidacy.

He has also stepped down from his role as Slough Conservative Group secretary.

Gillingwater was also ordered to pay £75 costs and £80 victim surcharge, and has been given a five year disqualification from holding an elected office.