Sex charge councillor in court

Jul 30 2008 By Ian Proctor

Harrow Civic Centre

Harrow Civic Centre

A councillor who has been charged with taking part in oral sex in a public toilet had his court case adjourned today after asking for legal aid. Robert Benson, 41, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court for little over five minutes this morning to confirm his age and address before he was granted time to find a solicitor. He will return to the same court on Wednesday next week where he will face one count of sexual activity in a public lavatory, following his arrest on June 25 in a Rayners Lane public toilet. The councillor, who has been suspended from the Conservative party, has represented Harrow Weald ward since May 2006. He turned up to court in a dark grey suit, white shirt and patterned tie. Benson refused to comment outside court on the case, whether he would resign as a councillor or why he had applied for legal aid. He said: "I have been advised not to say anything by my legal representative."

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