Attleborough councillor charged with criminal damage has left the Conservative Party to sit as an independent
A councillor charged with criminal damage has left the Conservative Party to sit as an independent.
Stephen Fraser, who represents Attleborough on the town council and Breckland Council, was arrested last month after the window of a business was found smashed.
He was released on bail but has since been charged in connection with the incident and will appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court in two weeks.
Despite resisting calls to stand down from the councils, Mr Fraser has resigned from the Conservative Party in the run-up to his case being heard.
Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Tory-run Breckland Council, said: “It was Mr Fraser’s own decision to resign from the group pending his court appearance.
“Following discussions, it was agreed this would be best to ensure there weren’t any distractions from the group and he can respond to questions on his own behalf.”
Mr Fraser has so far declined to comment on the incident and did not respond to calls to do so during a recent meeting of Attleborough Town Council attended by dozens of locals.
Richard Allington reported the incident to police after he turned up to work at his Attleborough kitchen store on April 14 and found his window smashed.
Mr Fraser, 52, was arrested on April 25 and charged with criminal damage. He will appear in court on June 10.
When he was elected to the councils, Mr Fraser ran as a non-political independent candidate but later crossed the floor to join the Conservative group.
His former Conservative colleague, fellow councillor Taila Taylor, has become embroiled in the matter after CCTV footage emerged showing her near the scene of the incident.
Miss Taylor, a close friend of Mr Fraser, is not facing any police action but locals have asked why she did not report the matter to officers at the time.
She remains a member of the Conservative group.