David Kirton, a former Conservative Councillor who became "infatuated with a 13-year-old girl, and eventually sexually assaulting her, was been jailed for eight years. Kirton, of Harlow, admitted committing three sexual offences on the girl during an eight month period.

Police confirmed: "A 55-year-old man has been remanded in custody prior to appearance at crown court." adding "He was charged with offences under the Sexual Offences Act, including rape and sexual assault."

Kirton, a Councillor in Harlow (Essex) left the home he shared with his wife Denise after his conviction, 55, and moved to Stevenage, Herts. A council spokesman refused to comment.

At Chelmsford Crown Court Judge Rodger Hayward Smith, told Kirton as he jailed him and put him on the sex offenders register for life: "You must have known this was wholly wrong."

The judge, who also banned Kirton from working with children for life and imposed a sex prevention order, added: "Your offences are aggravated by the disparity in your ages." as he sent Kirton to jail for 8 years.