Many Port Coquitlam residents have called for Scott Young to step down since he pleaded guilty to assault charges, and his council has repeatedly asked him to leave leave council. (CBC)

The mayor of Port Coquitlam will seek a councillor's seat in the upcoming municipal election despite being found guilty of assault.

Scott Young put his name in the race Thursday afternoon before the deadline for the Nov. 15 election.

Young pleaded guilty in May to two charges of assault and one charge of breaching the conditions of an undertaking. He was later given a 12-month conditional sentence to be served at home, with a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. except to attend council meetings.

Young was also placed on 18 months of probation, ordered to perform 60 hours of community service, abstain from alcohol and drugs, and stay away from former girlfriend Colleen Preston and her partner, Glen Shaw.

Many Port Coquitlam residents have called for Young to step down since his plea, and council has asked him to leave three times.

He temporarily stepped aside but returned to the mayor's chair a month and a half after the April 2007 incident.

Initially, he faced seven criminal charges, including assault, criminal harassment and breaking and entering, but the Crown stayed several charges.