Councillor in court accused of harassing girl on Instagram
Kyle Eldridge denies a charge of harassment without violence.
Councillor Kyle Eldridge
(Image: Abergavenny Town Council )
A councillor has appeared in court accused of harassing a girl with unwanted messages. Kyle Eldridge, 28, is alleged to have messaged the 17-year-old on social media platform Instagram and sent voice notes and emails.
Eldridge, of St George's Crescent in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, represents the Park ward on Abergavenny Town Council as an independent, having been elected as a Labour candidate. He has denied a single charge of harassment without violence.
In a hearing at Newport Magistrates' Court, District Judge Sophie Toms extended Eldridge's unconditional bail ahead of a trial on July 29.
The town council's principal officer Sandra Rosser previously said Eldridge had not attended council meetings since the allegations emerged. She said he was also removed from an appointment he was due to take as a school governor.
"He doesn't hold any positions on any board or organisations directly linked to him being a councillor," she said in February.
Article continues below
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
19 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Fife councillor found guilty of sex offences involving teenage girl
David Graham, who was suspended from the Labour party two years ago, was convicted on Wednesday following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. According to the indictment the offences involved sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15. The offences took place between February 11 and August 21 2023, and were committed at a variety of locations in the Fife and Edinburgh areas. The 43-year-old was found guilty by a majority of one charge under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. He is due to be be sentenced on August 19. Commenting after Graham's conviction, Fife Council leader David Ross said the revelations at the trial had been 'truly shocking'. The Labour councillor went on: 'This is appalling behaviour by anyone, let alone an elected councillor – and the sentence will reflect the seriousness of this case. Our sympathies go out to the young person involved. 'It is impossible to express how badly David Graham has let down his colleagues and the people he was elected to represent.' A Labour Party spokesperson said: 'The party is taking immediate action to exclude David Graham from membership of the Labour Party following his conviction.' Police Scotland Detective Inspector Graham Watson said: 'Graham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim. 'He was well-known and in a position of power when the offending took place. 'I would like to thank the female for her assistance in bringing him to justice. 'We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it. 'Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies.'
Scotsman
44 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Councillor David Graham found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing schoolgirl in Fife and Edinburgh
A Labour councillor has been found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing a schoolgirl in Edinburgh and Fife. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... David Graham, who represents Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages on Fife Council, was found guilty today (Wednesday, July 23) following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. He stood accused of being involved in sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 at various locations in Fife and Edinburgh between February and August 2023. The 43-year-old is due to be sentenced at a later date. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor David Graham Detective Inspector Graham Watson said: "Graham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim. He was well-known and in a position of power when the offending took place. 'I would like to thank the female for her assistance in bringing him to justice. "We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it. Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies."
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Fife councillor found guilty of sex offences involving teenage girl
David Graham, who was suspended from the Labour party two years ago, was convicted on Wednesday following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. According to the indictment the offences involved sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15. The offences took place between February 11 and August 21 2023, and were committed at a variety of locations in the Fife and Edinburgh areas. The 43-year-old was found guilty by a majority of one charge under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. He is due to be be sentenced on August 19. Commenting after Graham's conviction, Fife Council leader David Ross said the revelations at the trial had been 'truly shocking'. The Labour councillor went on: 'This is appalling behaviour by anyone, let alone an elected councillor – and the sentence will reflect the seriousness of this case. Our sympathies go out to the young person involved. 'It is impossible to express how badly David Graham has let down his colleagues and the people he was elected to represent.' A Labour Party spokesperson said: 'The party is taking immediate action to exclude David Graham from membership of the Labour Party following his conviction.' Police Scotland Detective Inspector Graham Watson said: 'Graham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim. 'He was well-known and in a position of power when the offending took place. 'I would like to thank the female for her assistance in bringing him to justice. 'We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it. 'Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies.'
