Mark Mewse clears harassment conviction after court appeal

Mark Mewse, 64, of Cranebridge Road, was cleared of a single harassment without violence conviction at Salisbury Crown Court on Wednesday, September 4.

This conviction landed Mr Mewse a 12-week suspended prison sentence after he was found guilty during a trial at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on April 25.

A former colleague and ex-girlfriend alleged Mr Mewse harassed her over a span of 10 months.

However, the prosecution did not oppose the appeal and offered no evidence against Mr Mewse.

Assistant Judge Advocate General Jane England overturned Mr Mewse's conviction and confirmed that his "good character" status was intact.

Mark Mewse described the evidence against him as flimsy at best. (Image: Mark Mewse)

Mr Mewse told the Journal: "I always believed the evidence in the first trial was flimsy at best and very little proof was offered.

"I would like to thank the many people in Salisbury who supported and encouraged me over the this difficult time including fellow councillors.

"I would also like it to be known that my resignation from the council was due to mental health issues which are still on going I have a great support team and although I struggle they are doing what they can."

Mark Mewse stepped down as a Salisbury City councillor in April. (Image: Salisbury City Council)

During the Mr Mewse's trial, Naomi Winsor revealed that he had been attending therapy to unravel years of trauma after being diagnosed with PTSD with a mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.

Mr Mewse had been a victim of the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing and lost friends to suicide and natural causes but, being “a kid of the 60s”, he was told to “get on with it, put his shoulders back and man up”.

These mental health struggles culminated in February 2023 when he broke down outside a pub as memories and “hidden scars” haunted him, becoming “a never-ending film reel in a loop all the time”.

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The court heard how Mr Mewse had lost his paid employment, role as local councillor and on several occasions came close to losing his life by his own hands.

He had also been physically assaulted twice in Salisbury following media coverage of his conviction.

Mr Mewse stepped down from his role as Salisbury City councillor for the St Francis and Stratford ward in April in a bid to "relieve the pressure" on him.

He previously said: "I would like to thank my council colleagues of all parties for their support over the last 18 months some of whom know of my struggles.

"I also thank and at the same time apologise to the residents of Stratford and St Francis for not being able to carry out my duties as I would have wished for the benefit of Salisbury and the ward."