Colleagues support acquitted councillor

Coun Kench, 78, had been accused of indecently assaulting a woman and was arrested by North Yorkshire Police.

But prosecutors at York Crown Court yesterday announced they were dropping the charges, ending a four-month ordeal for the long-serving councillor and his wife, Molly.

Norton's Mayor, Keith Mennell, said: "It must have been a great worry for him over the last few months. I think it will be a weight lifted off his mind and off Molly's.

"I just feel sorry that something like this has dragged his name through the mud when there was no need.

"It's bad enough when you are an ordinary individual, but when you are a councillor of course it makes headlines."

Coun Allin Jenkins said: "It is obviously good news for Coun Kench and his wife.

"It must be a big relief."

Speaking after the case against him was dropped, Coun Kench said: "I had nothing to fear, but it has been a worry for both of us.

"I didn't even know her (the alleged victim)."

The couple said numerous people had supported them since the allegations were made public, including fellow councillors and neighbours.

"We haven't stopped doing anything," said Coun Kench of the months since his arrest.

"I could walk down the street with my head up in the air.

"We have never stopped going out."

His wife added that the couple had a list of people who would have been willing to act as character references for him had he faced a trial.

At York Crown Court, Coun Kench, of Sutton Street, answered "not guilty" as the single charge of indecent assault was put to him. It was alleged to have been committed between July 1989 and December 1991.

Then prosecuting barrister, Nicholas Ralph, revealed that the Crown Prosecution Service had reviewed the evidence against Coun Kench and decided not to take the case further.

The honorary recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, formally acquitted him.

liz.todd@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, March 11, 2003