Former Tory candidate given restraining order

A former council candidate charged with harassing his estranged wife has accepted a restraining order to avoid a conviction.

Tim Hodges, who also wrote football reports for this publication, was due to stand trial today for harassing Claire Hodges in the summer of 2024.

But the hearing did not go ahead after the prosecution agreed to his proposal of a restraining order.

Mrs Hodges was consulted and the court was told she agreed with the decision.

Prosecuting, Benjamin Parkinson said: “The defence have put forward a proposal to the Crown which is accepted – a non conviction restraining order that’s put in place for three years.

“The harassment involved multiple calls and messages or contact where Claire Hodges has said stop and contact has continued. There’s no suggestion of violence or threat of violence whatsoever.”

The court was told the pair are due to finalise their divorce next week and Hodges, who currently lives in Eaton Road, Hove, will be moving to Somerset in April.

The three-year order forbids Hodges, 56, from making contact directly or indirectly with Claire Hodges save through solicitors or order of the court.

He is also banned from an area of Brighton bordered by and including Hampstead Road, Robertson Road and The Drove between the junction of the other two roads.