A HAMPSHIRE councillor who slapped a political rival has been made bankrupt by her elderly victim after failing to pay court costs of more than £70,000.

Cllr Penny Jackman could lose her home following the latest action brought by pensioner Mike Beggs, who lost several teeth in the assault in 2012.

Following a hearing at Southampton County Court in 2015 Mr Beggs was awarded more than £14,000 in damages and costs of about £73,000.

Today the Daily Echo can reveal that Cllr Jackman has paid the damages but not the costs – and has now been made bankrupt in a move that could leave her family homeless.

Last night the Insolvency Service confirmed that the petitioner was Mr Beggs.

A spokesman said: “A bankruptcy petition is an application to the court for someone’s assets to be taken and sold to pay their debts.”

The order made against Cllr Jackman follows a hearing at Southampton County Court on March 16.

Speaking from his home in Sway Mr Beggs said: “In 2015 I took Cllr Jackman to court for slapping me, causing me injury. The court ordered she pay me damages and costs.

“In 2016 Cllr Jackman paid the damages due to me. I understand she has not paid the costs.”

Mr Beggs refused to make any further comment and his solicitor, Barry Hogg, also declined to discuss the case.

Cllr Jackman, of Pennington, is a Conservative member of New Forest District Council, Lymington and Pennington Town Council and the New Forest National Park Authority.

The original court case followed an incident at a town council by-election in which Mr Beggs, who was standing for UKIP, lost to Tory candidate Michael White.

Mr Beggs, then 72, suffered extensive damage to his dentures when Cllr Jackman lashed out during a row over his election leaflets.

Judge Peter Ralls refused to accept that she thought she was about to be assaulted by Mr Beggs and awarded him more than £14,000 in damages, plus costs.

Cllr Jackman asked the public for donations, saying she could lose her home if she failed to pay up.

Speaking at the time she said: “Words cannot describe how grateful I (and my family) would be for any contribution you might wish to make to help us resolve this dreadful situation.”

But her crowdfunding campaign was blocked by GoFundMe, which removed her page after accusing her of violating its terms and conditions.

Despite being made bankrupt Cllr Jackman can continue to be a member of the town and district councils.

A council spokesman said: “The Local Government Act 1972 sets out the circumstances under which an individual would be disqualified from being a member of the council. Bankruptcy is not one of those circumstances.”

Cllr Jackman, 52, of Pennington, declined to comment.