The town, district and county councillor for Woodbridge had previously pleaded not guilty to the offences and in November 2007 said: "I maintain my innocence and I will be fighting all these charges." But standing in the dock at Norwich Crown Court, Redsell pleaded guilty to each of the 11 counts read out to him. He admitted sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at her home on the 24^th of August 2007 following a night out at The Hippodrome in Colchester.

Following his arrest, police searched Redsell's home in Melton Meadow Road, where he lived with his mother. Officers found indecent images of children on his computer and he pleaded guilty to seven counts of making indecent pictures of children dating from January the 1^st, 2000, to August the 26^th, 2007.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children, which police found in his bedroom, for the same period. Judge Simon Barham told Redsell, who was elected as a Conservative county councillor, that he would be sentenced on the 1^st August 2008, and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders' Register. Judge Barham added: "Do not assume that because you are on bail now you will not get a custodial sentence later."

Before attending court yesterday Redsell resigned from his positions at Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Woodbridge Town Council. In a letter to the district council, Redsell said: "It has been an honour to serve the people of Woodbridge as their councillor for the last year and I am very sorry to be leaving in this way."

Redsell, a former pupil of Farlingaye High School and Woodbridge School, was elected to Suffolk County Council at a by-election in 2004, becoming the youngest member of the authority. He was then elected to the district council in May last year, as the councillor for Woodbridge Riverside ward. He held numerous positions at all three tiers of local government, including membership of Suffolk Police Authority. He was also the Conservative agent in Ipswich before the 2005 General Election. Redsell resigned from the Conservative Party in November after he was charged with the offences to "save them any further embarrassment" but continued to act as an independent councillor.

Suffolk police's Detective Inspector Steve Clabburn said: "These are serious offences and we are pleased he had pleaded guilty, which spared the victim the ordeal of having to face him in court." he added "The guilty plea was made in light of the evidence gathered by officers and we will await the sentencing.

Redsell received a very lenient three year community order, and was banned from working with children.