Court appearance date postponed for Leeds councillor charged with attempted rape and historic sex offences

Ron Grahame, councillor for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, was due to appear before Leeds Magistrates' Court today (Jan 5) charged with four offences alleged to have taken place between 1980 and 1982.

The 76-year-old is charged with attempted rape, two counts of indecent assault and a further serious sexual offence.

The hearing did not take place and the court confirmed that the case has now been re-listed to take place on January 25.

In a statement issued last month, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Ronald Grahame, aged 76, from Leeds, is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on January 5, 2021, having been charged by postal requisition with four sexual offences alleged to have occurred between 1980 and 1982, which all relate to one child victim."

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said the local authority would not be commenting on the matter at this stage.

The Yorkshire Evening Post understands Ron Grahame has been suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of criminal proceedings against the veteran councillor.

A Labour spokesperson said no comment can be made at this stage but the YEP understands Grahame has been "administratively suspended" from the party until the outcome of the court case.

Grahame has been a Labour councillor for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward since 2010.

His current term of office runs until 2022.

He was first elected onto Leeds City Council to represent Whinmoor in 1982.