THE jury trying Russell Bowden, the leader of Warrington Borough Council, who is accused of electoral fraud, is expected to retire on Tuesday to begin its deliberations.
The prosecution and defence barristers both made their closing speeches today and Judge Louise Brandon is due to sum up the evidence on Tuesday morning before sending the jury out.
Bowden, 53, of Applecross Close, Birchwood, is alleged by the prosecution to have lied on his nomination forms for the May 2019 local election for re-election as a Birchwood ward Labour councillor.
He had been living in a rented flat in Lulworth Place, Bewsey for 21 months after marital problems but instead of putting that down on the form as his home he put the Applecross Close address, where his wife still lived.
Bowden denies a charge of making a false statement on a nomination paper and has told the court that the Bewsey address was only a temporary address and he considered that his home address was the one in Birchwood.
It is claimed by the prosecution that he did so to gain a political advantage as being seen by voters as “a local man”. Bowden has denied this. He has told the jury of six women and five men, “I am Leader of the council. It is absolutely crucial that I am above reproach.”
The case continues
Council leader says “ludicrous” to suggest he lied on election nomination form
