Laura Sharman 19 April 2017

Man charged for compiling ‘hit-list’ of Durham councillors

A man who claimed he would take out ‘contracts’ on 57 Labour councillors in Durham has been charged by the police.

The 39-year-old man had sent a letter to the chief constable of Durham police warning that contracts in varying sums of money would be taken out on any prospective candidate standing for the Labour party in the forthcoming May elections.

The man – who has not been named by the police – has been charged with ‘malicious communications’ and will appear in court 16 May.

The police said they had liaised with Durham County Council to provide reassurances to those named in the letter.

Photo: © Trevor Littlewood

#Police #Councillors

Analysis

Small Scale, Big Potential: Town and parish councils and devolution

Parish and town councils could play a central role in making devolution work for communities.

Opinion

LocalGov Round-Up: LGR, Finance and Local Elections

This week councils faced questions over reorganisation, concerns over the finances of the social care sector and a reminder of electoral fraud risks.

Most Popular News

Campaign launches to protect integrity of local elections

Council leaders call for acceleration of reorganisation decisions

'Hard to see' what underpins LGR other than politics, says Reform

Councils cutting services to pay for social care, think tank warns

Council workers offered 3.3% pay rise

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Company Anouncements

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard

Waste Minimisation & Sustainability Supervisor

Up to £16.2600 per hour

Waste Minimisation & Sustainability Supervisor - Braintree District Council Braintree, Essex Full-Time, Temporary 6-month Contract £16.26 PAYE / £20.8 England, Essex, Braintree

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Land Charges Assistant - Rochford District Council

Up to £15.0000 per hour

Land Charges Assistant - Rochford District Council Rochford, Essex Full-Time, Temporary 3-Month Contract - 37 Hours per week£15.00 PAYE / £19.23 Umbre England, Essex, Rochford

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Public Facilities Security Operative - Tendring

Up to £12.8500 per hour

Public Facilities Security Operative - Tendring District Council Brightlingsea - Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex Part-Time, Temporary £12.85 PAYE / £16.48 U England, Essex

Recuriter: Essex County Council