Former councillor appears on indecent image charges

May 9 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

Former councillor appears on indecent image charges

A FORMER Liverpool councillor yesterday appeared in court charged with downloading indecent images of children.

Ben Williams, 34, of Norris Green, appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court and spoke only to confirm his address.

The history tutor, who was supported by family and friends at the hearing, did not enter a plea to the 12 counts of making indecent images over a year-long period.

He was released on bail and will appear at court again on June 26 when he will be committed for trial at Crown Court.

Williams was arrested last December by officers from Sefton Family Crime Unit and eight computers were seized in the inquiry.

A Labour councillor, he agreed to self-suspend himself while the investiga-tion was carried out. The former Clubmoor councillor did not stand in this month’s elections, after having served on the council for six years.

He is alleged to have made the images between December 13, 2006, and December 17, 2007.