On Wednesday this week, one week before disgraced councillor for Wotton Bridge, Daryll Pitcher, could have been disqualified for not attending council meetings for more than six months, he resigned from the role.
A by-election will now take place to find a new councillor for the Isle of Wight council ward.
Peacey-Wilcox: Due process will now take place
In response to the news, Leader of the Isle of Wight council, Lora Peacey-Wilcox told News OnTheWight,
“I acknowledge his resignation; due process will now take place. Meanwhile if residents of Wootton need help or support please contact the council.”
Garratt: Resignation should have come much sooner
Chair of Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats, Andrew Garratt, says:
“The Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats welcome this resignation, but believe it should have come much sooner.
“It is completely wrong that residents of Wootton Bridge have not had a councillor able to properly represent them at County Hall for such a long period of time.
“The residents of Wootton Bridge deserve a hard-working councillor who will stand up for their interests.”
Ellis: Resignation is long overdue
Councillor Suzie Ellis, leader of the Conservative Group of councillors told News OnTheWight,
“I welcome the news of Daryll Pitcher’s resignation, it is long overdue.
“It is good that Wootton Bridge residents will now be able to elect a new councillor after a protracted period without representation at County Hall.”
Quigley: DBS checks should be standard
Councillor Richard Quigley, Leader of Island Labour, told News OnTheWight,
“It shouldn’t have got to this stage, but the change in legislation that would have removed him as a councillor has been delayed by government.
“I also think it is time that all councillor had a DBS check as standard.”
Councillor Geoff Brodie (Ind Lab) declined to comment. Empowering Islanders’ leader, Chris Jarman, had nothing to add.
Background
In April 2023 Daryll Pitcher was sentenced for historic rape charges, committed against a girl under the age of 13, when he was a teenager in the 1990s.
Due to his age at the time of the crimes, Pitcher was sentenced to six months on one count and 27 months on the other. They will run at the same time.
Recorder Richard Onslow said the defendant would serve half of his sentence — just over a year — in prison and the remaining year and a bit on licence.
Pitcher has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years.
