Former councillor on porn charges

Jun 27 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

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

Ben Williams, 34, of Norris Green, appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court, supported by friends and family who briefly held up proceedings as they filed into the public gallery.

The history tutor is accused of 12 counts of making indecent images over a year-long period by using internet websites.

He was released on bail and will appear in court again on August 12 at Liverpool Crown Court, where he is expected to plead not guilty.

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

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