The Isle of Wight Council has refused to comment on the jailing of convicted child rapist Darryl Pitcher and efforts to remove him as a councillor.
Councillor Pitcher was yesterday (Wednesday) sentenced to 27 months — with half to be served in prison — for raping a young girl twice back in the 1990s. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
The offences happened when Pitcher was in his teens.
After being found guilty by a jury at the end of February, Pitcher stood down from his committee positions on the local authority. However, he continued to attend meetings of Wootton Bridge Parish Council and to this day remains a serving councillor – it’s understood.
The Isle of Wight Council has said it cannot comment on the situation at this time – despite Pitcher being sentenced – and the local authority is unable to provide further information as to why.
The Isle of Wight Council has had no authority to remove Pitcher from his position while the case was ongoing but there are now provisions under the Local Government Act 1972 to disqualify him. The law states if an elected member is sentenced to 3 months in prison or more, whether suspended or not, they will be disqualified from being a member of a local authority.
Officials have been asked to clarify what will happen to Pitcher’s Wootton Bridge seat and whether a by-election will be held.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Vectis Party – of which Pitcher was leader until yesterday – has said:
“An executive meeting was held this morning (Thursday) regarding the recent events pertaining to the leader of the Vectis Party whereupon a full E.G.M will be held this Saturday for the full membership whereupon a new leader will be appointed.
“The Vectis Party still maintains its full objective to serve the people of this Island”.
What is the Vectis Party? Sounds like a summer event. Are they looking for independence?
Pity Michael Jackson never lived on the island … he would have been jailed so quickly on historical hear say evidence
Despite his attempts to alter it, likely his tone would have saved him from accusation and if he were, his money and tone would have been too much for a jury to find him guilty.
Age in the above case is not to me the issue, but proof is.
Yet perhaps more than we are told is known
Never really liked his tone, either. Far too squeaky.
Marvin Gaye was more my thing.
Oh, you mean his (original) skin colour.
There was me thinking I’d found another kindred sole who found Jackson’s voice annoying and you were just being a dirty little racist all along.
In any case, anything he got away with was more to do with him being rich and famous than the colour of his skin. Saville, Harris, Glitter, Travis, Clifford, Denning, Hall. All celebrities. All white.
Hope he enjoyed his first night and his cell mate made him feel welcome.