Wife-beating Tory council leader accused of domestic abuse against four more ... trends now
A council leader engulfed in allegations of domestic abuse announced he was stepping down tonight to 'deal with these issues'.
Jonathan Nunn said he 'continued to deny the allegations' but would step aside as leader of West Northamptonshire Council after the affair became a 'huge distraction'.
The announcement followed claims from four women that they had been subjected to violence or abuse by Nunn – days after his first wife told the Mail she suffered a catalogue of abuse.
Jonathan Nunn's second wife is amongst those now telling of their ordeals at his hands in alleged pattern of behaviour covering a 20-year period.
The 59-year-old was sentenced to 180 hours of community service in 2004 after he was seen punching and kicking Janice Nunn in the street.
Jonathan Nunn, 58, is accused of beating two ex-wives and at least two other partners over a 20-year period
Nunn pictured with first wife Maria Botterill, 57, who has come forward to say he attacked her
Neighbour Paula Johnson has told of Nunn putting his hands around her throat when she tried to help his second wife Janice Nunn in 2003
West Midlands Police recorded a domestic violence incident against Nunn in 2008 after Carolyn Marks (pictured) reported him
Mrs Nunn, now 50, was also dragged by the hair and suffered bruising to her shoulder, arms, chest, back, buttocks and legs, while a neighbour to whom she fled for safety alleges Nunn grabbed her by the throat after barging in to the house.
The new allegations mean the Tory councillor - who fronted a campaign to prevent violence against women two years ago - is accused of domestic abuse against at least four partners since the early 1990s.
In a statement tonight Nunn – who was already facing calls to resign – claimed to have been the victim of a 'long-term campaign' of harassment.
He said: 'I continue to deny the allegations being made against me, and I am pursuing discussions with the police relating to the relentless harassment I have experienced.'
He added that the 'recent bombardment of both officers and members with emails as part of this sustained campaign has been overwhelming for everyone affected'.
Nunn continued: 'It has been a huge distraction not only to me, but also to all the good work of the Council.
'With all this having a massive impact on my mental health and wellbeing, I have decided to step down as Council Leader while I deal with these issues.
'I have never been anything but open and honest about my previous a conviction for assault and a community order 20 years ago, speaking about this publicly and this being a matter of public record for many years, since before I was elected as a borough and now a unitary councillor by members of the public and became council leader.
'This harassment campaign led by a particular individual, whose previous behaviour has been recognised by a court, is fuelled by a number of motivations which may not be clear to the public, but are abundantly clear to me.
'They follow a swathe of demands for taxpayers' money despite there being no evidence that it's due. I hope in time that a truer, fuller picture of this whole situation will be made clear.'
He said he was 'extremely proud' of his achievements as council leader since the authority was formed three years ago.
Nunn is pictured here with Carolyn Marks, who met him in 2005 and had twins with him the following year - she has said he would 'swear, hurl abuse and belittle' her
'Following my decision to step down as Leader, the Council will be confirming the arrangements that will now be put in place.'
Mrs Nunn told the BBC she suffered repeatedly during their two-year marriage and described her husband as 'the angriest person' she had ever met.
She said on one occasion he 'changed in a heartbeat from being chatty to throwing me over'.
'I went to A&E and was diagnosed with a fractured rib,' she said.
Mrs Nunn said on the night of the assault, in November 2003, Nunn 'punched and slapped' her for speaking to other men so she ran from their house on a smart estate in
