THE leader of Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Russ Bowden, has been cleared of election fraud after trial by jury at Liverpool Crown Court.
It follows Judge Louise Brandon summing up the evidence this morning before sending the jury of five men and six women out to consider the material they have heard since the trial began a week ago.
Bowden, 53, of Applecross Close, Birchwood, was alleged by the prosecution to have lied on his nomination forms for the May 2019 local election for re-election as a Birchwood ward Labour councillor.
He had been living in a rented flat in Lulworth Place, Lower Walton for 21 months after marital problems but instead of putting that down on the form as his home he put the Applecross Close address, where his wife still lived.
Cllr Bowden had always denied a charge of making a false statement on a nomination paper telling the court that the Bewsey address was only a temporary address and he considered that his home address was the one in Birchwood.
It had claimed by the prosecution that he did so to gain a political advantage as being seen by voters as “a local man”. Bowden denied this telling told the jury “I am Leader of the council. It is absolutely crucial that I am above reproach.”
1 Comment
I’m very disappointed he has been found not guilty
However his credibility to continue as council leader has been destroyed
Do the Right thing step down Bowden and leave never to be seen again.