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PARISH COUNCILLOR- GUILTY VERDICT

By Parish Clerk Dymchurch Parish Council

Friday, 30 June 2023

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dymchurch Parish Council Contributor

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DYMCHURCH PARISH COUNCIL STATEMENT – COUNCILLOR GUILTY VERDICT

Dymchurch Parish Council are aware that on Thursday 29th June 2023, at Maidstone Crown Court, Dymchurch Parish Councillor, Russell Tillson, was found guilty of historic sex offences and has been bailed to the 1st of September for sentencing.

Dymchurch Parish Council does not condone any criminal act, nor will it support any Councillor who may engage in in any criminal act.
Questions have been raised regarding the Parish Council's actions in light of this information and in particular regarding the suspension of this Councillor following the guilty verdict or when the charges were fist laid.
The reasons for not taking any action are set out below-

1) In British Law, the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt (in a Court of Law)

2) TheParish Council has no power or authority under British Law to suspend any democratically elected Member from Office for any reason

Therfore the above mentioned Councillor currently may remain a serving Councillor, under UK law, until at least such time as sentencing takes place and the outcome of sentencing is known.

In light of the afore-mentioned guilty verdict, if the sentence handed down in due course involves serving a gaol term in excess of three months duration (whether suspended or not) , this will result in disqualification from serving as a Councillor at Dymchurch Parish Council. At this point a vacancy will be declared and District Council Returning Officer will be duly notified and Vacancy Notices will then be published. However, should a lesser sentence be received, this would not result in disqualification from office.

Dymchurch Parish Council

Contact Information

Parish Clerk

Find Dymchurch Parish Council

Dymchurch Parish Council, 13 Orgarswick Avenue, Dymchurch, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN29 0NX

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