A former Tory candidate yesterday pleaded guilty to five counts of criminal damage and two counts of harassment at St Albans Magistrates' Court.
Ian Oakley admitted waging a campaign of harrassment against Liberal Democrat rivals Sal Brinton, Russell Willson and others. Property was damaged, silent phone calls were made and obscene images were sent to those on Mr Oakley had political disagreements with. Sal Brinton gives her side of the story in an article for Lib Dem Voice today:
"I think I can speak for all of us in Watford when I say that we are relieved that Ian Oakley has admitted that he is behind this, and that the nightmare of the last three years may finally be coming to an end. This has been a traumatic period for all those who have suffered from his vile campaign to defame, intimidate and terrorise people simply for expressing support for a political party."
Until two weeks Mr Oakley was Conservative PPC for Watford and a Conservative councillor. Whilst quitting his position as PPC (and leaving the Tory party at the same time) he remains a councillor in the London Borough of Hillingdon. This is despite asking the court to take into account 68 other offences when sentencing and his case being adjourned until September for psychiatric reports. If Mr Oakley recieves a custodial sentence of three months or more come September, he will be automatically disqualified from holding office.