LABOUR Councillor Stands Trial TODAY Charged With Sexually Abusing Children

The trial of a Labour Councillor who stood down after being charged over historical child abuse accusations is scheduled to begin today at Leeds Crown Court. 

79-year-old Ron Grahame was charged with a string of alleged serious sex offences against a minor girl in the 1980s, including attempted rape. The trial was scheduled to begin at Leeds Crown Court in April but was delayed due to the ill-health of the defendant – with today’s trial only going forward if an assessment concludes him to be well enough to attend.

The former Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Labour councillor’s medical reports, with a neurologist insisting he couldn’t stand trial, were previously handed to the court.

Judge Andrew Stubbs KC said he wanted the doctor’s assessment to be heard in court, saying he was “not satisfied” that he was unfit to be tried, so will resume this afternoon, Monday, July 10.

Mr Grahame denies attempting to rape a girl under 16 years of age between October 4, 1981 and October 4, 1982.

Grahame is also charged with attempting to commit a further serious sexual offence, and faces two charges of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, between October 4, 1980 and October 4, 1982. He also denies each of those charges.

Ron Grahame (left) worked on MP Richard Burgon’s election campaign and was a long-serving Councillor.

A judge was informed in July 2021 that Grahame had been found to be competent to enter a plea in relation to the accusations levelled against him.

In June of last year and again in December, trials were scheduled, but were both postponed due to doubts about Grahame’s capacity to stand trial.

Grahame was first elected onto Leeds City Council to represent Whinmoor for the Labour Party in 1982, only standing down as a Councillor in May 2022 after being officially charged with the offences.

VoteWatch will provide an update in due course.