The trial of a former council candidate charged with harassing his estranged wife has been postponed until next year.
Tim Hodges, who twice stood for the Conservatives in Brighton and Hove City Council elections, is accused of harassing Claire Hodges at an address in Kingsley Road, Brighton in the summer of 2024.
Hodges, who wrote Albion reports for this publication until earlier this year, denies the charges.
The trial was scheduled to take place tomorrow. But after a brief hearing at Brighton Magistrates Court today, the one-day hearing has been postponed until 13 January.
Hodges, 56, of Eaton Road, represented himself at today’s hearing.
The single charge of harassment without violence alleges he sent her numerous messages and attended her address on three occasions.
It says he either knew or ought to have known that doing so would amount to harassment.
Hodges was released on bail with the condition he does not enter Kingsley Road or contact Mrs Hodges directly or indirectly.
I fail to see the value of mentioning that he was a former council candidate let alone his political affiliation.
I’d say the same if he was a member of any other political party.
And these alledged crimes took place a year after the election he was standing in.
While we at it – what is going on with the Investigation into Ivor Caplin ?
I think there is some value.
To me, it indicates the kind of people the party in question is choosing as candidates, particularly since it is not outside the realm of possibility that this gentleman may decide to stand again. At which point, articles like these could help inform readers about the kind of person a candidate is, and help them determine if they wish to vote for them or not based on their reported actions.
And if he doesn’t, mentioning his political affiliation isn’t to the detriment of the accuracy of the article. My opinion, at the very least.
That lot again, deport him now!