Isle of Wight council have confirmed that despite Cllr Daryll Pitcher being found guilty on two counts of historic rape at Isle of Wight Crown Court this week, he currently remains in office as a serving councillor.
A spokesperson for the council told News OnTheWight,
“The council has no powers to remove Cllr Pitcher from his office of councillor and therefore unless he resigns or in future becomes statutorily disqualified from holding office under the Local Government Act 1972 then he remains a councillor.
“It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage as court proceedings have not yet concluded.”
News OnTheWight has asked Cllr Pitcher whether he intends to remain as councillor for Wootton Bridge. We’ll update once we hear back.
Placed on Sex Offenders’ Register
The 46-year-old from Wootton was found guilty of two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 14, between June 1990 and March 1992.
He would have been aged between 13 and 15 when the alleged incident took place.
Pitcher has now been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was bailed to appear at the sentencing on 12th April.
