The trial of a council leader accused of electoral fraud has been postponed.
Cllr Russ Bowden, the Labour leader of Warrington Borough Council, was due to face a jury at Liverpool Crown Court beginning Monday, after being charged with three counts of providing false information for a purpose connected with the registration of electors and one of permitting a false statement to be furnished to a returning officer at an election. The 53-year-old denies these counts.
However, his case was adjourned due to a lack of court time. Bowden wore a grey suit and was supported by deputy leader Cllr Cathy Mitchell as his trial was delayed to Monday, April 24.
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The defendant was first elected as a councillor in 2010 and became leader in late 2018, having previously served as deputy. He retained his Birchwood seat following 2021's full council elections and was subsequently backed to continue as council leader until 2024.
Charge sheets stated that the alleged offences surround Cllr Bowden providing his home address as a house in this area of the town, when he was said to have instead been living at a property in Lower Walton. A Cheshire Police spokesman said when he was first charged in November 2021: "The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Cheshire Police to charge a man in connection with allegations of electoral malpractice.
"Earlier this year, Cheshire Police received information relating to the Warrington local council elections 2021. Detectives launched an investigation into the matter, and following advice received from the CPS, a number of charges have now been authorised.
“Russell Bowden has been charged with one count of providing a false statement in nomination papers contrary to Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and three counts of providing false information to a registration officer contrary to Section 13D of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Cheshire Police and the CPS would like to remind everyone that criminal proceedings against Bowden are live and that he has a right to a fair trial."
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