Former Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner candidate Jonathon Seed will appear before Oxford Crown Court today, when it is expected prosecutors will drop election fraud charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed in June that the case against the 64-year-old, who denied making a ‘false statement’ on election papers in 2021, had been reviewed. The CPS concluded there was insufficient evidence for the prosecution to continue.
READ MORE: Election fraud charges will be dropped
Seed won the race in May 2021 to become Swindon and Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
But he was unable to take up the role after a historical driving conviction came to light. The 30-year-old conviction for drink driving disqualified him from acting as commissioner.
He was due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court this month accused of a single count of making a 'false statement' on election papers.
The case is expected to return to court this morning and will be heard by Judge Michael Gledhill QC. It is listed for the prosecution to offer no evidence.
In June, a CPS spokesman said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuing review and, following a further review, we concluded that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.”
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward
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