A LEADING councillor is asking the public to help her pay a massive legal bill she has incurred for slapping an election candidate.

Tory Penny Jackman has got her begging bowl out after losing a two-day court case and being ordered to pay pensioner Mike Beggs a sum that could top £80,000.

Cllr Jackman fears she could lose her home and is appealing for donations to help her pay the costs and damages awarded against her.

She is using GoFundMe, a do-it-yourself website that enables people to raise money online for everything from medical bills to funerals.

Cllr Jackman, who has so far raised £270, says: “I have an enormous legal bill and damages to pay because a judge ruled that I did not act in self-defence.

“I would so appreciate any donations as my opponent and his lawyers made it absolutely clear in previous dealings that they have no problem with making me bankrupt and homeless (along with my family) if that is what it takes to settle their bill.

“We live in a modest two-bedroom home. There would not be enough left over to buy another home and stay in the same area. My husband is a postman. We are not wealthy people.

“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.”

Cllr Jackman, 50, of Pennington, is a member of New Forest District Council, Lymington Town Council and the National Park Authority.

Last week’s case at Southampton County Court followed an incident at a town council by-election in which Mr Beggs, who was standing for UKIP, lost to Tory candidate Michael White.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Cllr Jackman told the court she felt scared during a furious row with Mr Beggs over one of his election leaflets.

Mr Beggs, of Sway, claimed he lost several teeth when Cllr Jackman lashed out during the count in February 2012.

Daily Echo: Pictured: Mike Beggs outside Southampton County Court, holding his teeth that we knocked out during the alleged incident. A former UKIP candidate told a court today a female Tory councillor broke four of his teeth when she slapped him during an election

Judge Peter Ralls said he did not believe Cllr Jackman feared she was about to be assaulted by Mr Beggs, now 75, and awarded him more than £14,000 in damages.

The court heard he could also receive about £70,000 in costs.

Mr Beggs claims he offered to settle the matter for £6,000 nearly four years ago but she refused.

Last night, Cllr Jackman declined to comment on her GoFundMe appeal.

Using GoFundMe to fight legal cases

PENNY Jackman’s public plea for cash comes just days after a GoFundMe page for a US police officer accused of murder was removed.

Chicago-based Jason Van Dyke has been charged with the first degree murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot dead last year.

His wife posted a GoFundMe page to raise money for her husband’s bail bond.

“The campaign in question was removed for a violation of our terms and conditions,” GoFundMe spokesperson Kelsea Little.

“GoFundMe does not accept campaigns for the defence or support of anyone alleged to be involved in criminal activity.”

A GoFundMe spokesman was unavailable to comment on Cllr Jackman’s appeal.