Disgraced councillor Tom Hanley has resigned from Ryde Town Council with immediate effect following his conviction for drink driving and admitting he is alcohol-dependent. As previously reported by Island Echo, Hanley appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above limit. It’s after he crashed his electric car into 5 other vehicles in the underground car park of Co-Op in Ryde on 30th December last year. The 62-year-old, of West Hill Road in Ryde, pleaded guilty to drink driving, disgracing his previous good name. He is now awaiting sentencing on 1st March. The court heard how Hanley was 4x the drink-drive limit when breathalysed by Police, with his defence solicitor confirming that Hanley is alcohol-dependent. It was also heard how he became passive-aggressive towards officers, claiming they would lose their jobs because he was a councillor. Until this week Hanley was a town councillor for the Ryde Appley and Elmfield ward. He was elected to office in November 2022 under the ‘Our Ryde’ banner. 
Island Echo approached both Tom Hanley and Ryde Town Council on Tuesday, asking whether he would be resigning as a councillor on the grounds of a criminal conviction, admission of alcohol dependency and bringing the Town Council into disrepute. No response was received by either party. However, it has now been confirmed by the Isle of Wight Council that a vacancy has become available on Ryde Town Council, indicating that Councillor Hanley has resigned. Ryde Town Council’s website has been updated to reflect this new vacancy. It is not known at this time whether a by-election will be held, or whether someone will be co-opted into the role. That decision will be made after 7th February. Thomas Hanley will learn his fate – which could include a custodial sentence – when he next appears before Magistrates on 1st March. He has been slapped with an interim driving ban in the meantime.
DISGRACED RYDE TOWN COUNCILLOR RESIGNS OVER DRINK-DRIVE CONVICTION
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Pleased to see he done the right thing, but to be honest he should have been
dismissed.
Hardly “passive-aggressive” behaviour. He was making a threat. Passive-aggressive behavior is when you express negative feelings indirectly instead of openly talking about them
Took the cowards way out, the easy option… Should’ve faced the music, pathetic example of a man!?
I can think of a few counselors that are disgrace and most of them have never had a good name they say they want to help the island and all they do is help to destroy it for generations to come
COUNCILLOR
Maybe try running yourself??
Once alcohol embrace’s you its a struggle to say goodbye
Idiot ! Crashed into 5 other cars and 4x over the limit .. life driving ban required this twat could have killed someone with his ignorance
And the same behaviour .. trying the Cllr get out of jail card .. Hope the court throw the book at him .. keep it off the roads
He did the right thing in resigning, pity Jerk Jordan didn’t resign when he got caught.
Why was he not dismissed from his position!,
should not have had the chance of resigning.
Answer they only look after each other ..
They’re All The Same, Untrustworthy!!
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to test all councillors for drink and drugs as they walk into County Hall. One thing is likely certain, he won’t be the only one caught out. These people are making decisions on our behalf, the least they could do is prove they are sober at the time.
Elected under the “Our Ryde” banner..then goes on a drunken rampage in his car..jesus
If only he had chosen to walk the short distance from West Hill Rd?
But these people dont think like that.No matter how drunk you are you would just walk to the shop.Not jump in the car 4x the limit then go on a demolition derby followed by threatening the police.
Still he will be able to “enjoy” the new bus station they have forced upon us
Also, a nasty basta**: Passive aggressive threats are not a symptom of alcoholism
Disgraced ?? !! Don’t think so … this type of person have no shame .. and will cause a serious accident .. our only hope is the court impose the maximum penalty/imprisonment .. make an example !!