William Eichler 26 September 2018

Councillor charged with posting ‘indecent’ messages online

A councillor has been charged for posting allegedly ‘obscene’ and ‘menacing’ messages on social media.

The independent councillor Richard John Alderman, 72, was elected in a by-election to Rutland County Council on 12 July 2018.

He has since been charged with three counts of sending ‘offensive, indecent, obscene, menacing message or matter’ online.

The charges relate to messages posted on 16 June and 15 July 2018, which were reported to police on 16 July.

Cllr Alderman will appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 27 September.

‘The council is aware of charges being brought against Cllr Richard Alderman and will continue to follow the case closely,’ a spokesperson for the council said.

‘We are unable to comment further at this stage and will begin an internal review process to examine Cllr Alderman’s conduct as soon as formal legal proceedings have ended.’

#Social media #Crime

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