Ex-Middlesbrough councillor guilty of child sex offences

An ex-councillor has been convicted of a catalogue of child sex abuse charges.

Former Middlesbrough Conservative councillor David Smith had denied 11 charges of inciting or engaging in sexual activity with a child but was found guilty at Teesside Crown Court.

The 33-year-old, who represented the Coulby Newham ward, resigned from the party and council after his arrest.

The court heard the offences dated back more than a decade. He will be sentenced on 16 May.

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