Shamed former district councillor Andrew Draper has been handed a suspended prison sentence this afternoon after admitting illegally possessing a stun gun.

Draper, 38, of Martin Close, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, was given a eight month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community when he appeared for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court.

He had pleaded guilty to possessing the prohibited weapon last week.

Today's court appearance follows Draper's arrest and guilty plea to drink-driving and assaulting a police officer last August and a further court appearance last November when he was ordered to pay �500 in fines and compensation after admitting sending an offensive email to a police officer.

Draper, who was a Waveney District councillor for Worlingham, had sent the email to a Norfolk police sergeant after she told him that his complaint against Suffolk Constabulary over the manner of his arrest for drink-driving would not be upheld.

However, both of Draper's allegations were rejected by a police complaints review process.

Following his convictions for drink-driving and assaulting a police officer Draper resigned as a Tory councillor on Waveney District Council to become an independent, but quit the council last November after his arrest over the email – triggering a by-election in Worlingham.

See out website later today for the full story on Draper's sentencing.