Breckland Council has confirmed that deputy Dereham mayor Thomas Monument has been suspended from the Conservative Party after being convicted of attacking a former partner.

Monument, 36, previously of Greenfields Road, Dereham was found guilty on Monday of assaulting his ex-girlfriend after their 18 month relationship ended.

A spokesperson for Breckland Council said: 'Part of Breckland Council's core corporate agenda is to tackle domestic abuse and we are working closely with our partners to eliminate this issue.

'Under UK law, the court decision does not preclude councillor Monument from continuing in his role as a councillor.

'However, William Nunn, Leader of Breckland Council, has taken immediate action and suspended this councillor pending a Conservative Group decision.'

Dereham Town Council has not yet confirmed if it will take its own disciplinary action.

A town council spokesman said: 'This is a personal matter and as and when we know the facts we will react to it.'

During the trial Norwich Magistrates Court heard the victim was punched twice, head butted once and picked up off the floor and 'slammed into the wardrobe' during the attack on September 11.

The complainant, who is trained in martial arts and admits to having two previous police cautions for assaults, said she never got a chance to implement any of her training.

A statement read out on behalf of the victim by Chris Youell, prosecuting, heard the attack left her 'scared' and added she was 'petrified of Thomas'.

Monument claimed he was 'terrified for my life' during the incident and acted in self-defence when she attacked him after he ended their relationship.

But his version of events was rejected by magistrates who found him guilty of assault.

He has been sentenced to 80 hours unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order and has been ordered to complete up to 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He has also been ordered to pay the victim £300 compensation and £100 costs and been made the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim for 12 months.

Monument is a Breckland councillor for Dereham Withburga ward.