Council says it is 'powerless' to remove paedophile councillor despite him ADMITTING to multiple sexual offences involving a child under 13

A council says it is 'powerless' to remove a paedophile councillor despite him admitting to multiple child sex offenses.

Alex Kear, 50, of Castleford, West Yorkshire, confessed to multiple sexual offences involving a child under the age of 13 at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

He represents the Airedale and Ferry Fryston ward as an independent on Wakefield Council in West Yorkshire after winning the seat from Labour at the local elections in May last year.

But Wakefield Council says it is powerless to remove him from office as he was granted bail until his sentencing on August 20. 

Under current legislation, he can only be sacked if he is jailed for more than three months.

As a result, Kear remains a serving councillor despite his convictions.

He admitted to offences of trying to entice a child under the age of 13 into engaging in sexual activity and attempting to incite a child into pornography. 

Gillian Marshall, Wakefield Council's chief legal officer, said after the court hearing: 'Under local authority legislation, Alex Kear remains a councillor. Wakefield Council is powerless to remove him at this stage.

'Central government has essentially left local councils powerless to take action in these situations.

'We do not have any authority to remove elected members from their position, regardless of the severity of their alleged crimes, unless they receive a significant custodial sentence.

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Wakefield Council says it is powerless to remove him from office as he was granted bail until his sentencing on August 20. Under current legislation, he can only be sacked if he is jailed for more than three months

'Therefore unless Kear chooses to resign, he remains a councillor. This will be reviewed when he is sentenced.

'As soon as we were made aware of the investigation by West Yorkshire Police we took all the appropriate safeguarding measures within our control and we will continue to do so.'

He was granted bail after yesterday's hearing and is due to return to court to be sentenced on August 20.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC told Kear: 'The fact that I am adjourning your case for reports is no indication of the sentence that you will ultimately receive. All options remain open.'