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Ex-Tory candidate admits damage Ex-Tory admits harassment charges
(10 minutes later)
A former Conservative general election candidate has pleaded guilty to a campaign of harassment against his Liberal Democrat rivals.A former Conservative general election candidate has pleaded guilty to a campaign of harassment against his Liberal Democrat rivals.
Ian Oakley, who stood down as the Tories' candidate in Watford, admitted five charges of criminal damage and two of harassment.Ian Oakley, who stood down as the Tories' candidate in Watford, admitted five charges of criminal damage and two of harassment.
Mr Oakley, of Ryelands Court, West Drayton, Middlesex, appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court. Oakley, of Ryelands Court, West Drayton, Middlesex, appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court.
The 31-year-old asked for 68 other offences to be taken into account.The 31-year-old asked for 68 other offences to be taken into account.
One charge of harassment related to a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate. The court was told Oakley, a former Watford prospective parliamentary candidate, damaged property belonging to the Lib Dems and had harassed rivals Sal Brinton and Russell Wilson.
Slim majority Letters
He slashed tyres and wrecked shutters at the Liberal Democrat headquarters in the town.
He made silent phone calls to Ms Brinton between August 2006 and March this year, and sent her gay and lesbian magazines, the court was told.
Letters addressed to "Sal Bitchton" were also sent to her workplace.
Oakley's campaign against Mr Wilson was mounted from February to May this year and included painting graffiti on his home, calling him a "perv".
He also sent letters to him and his backers wrongly accusing Mr Wilson of being a "child abuser".
Resignation
Wearing a dark grey suit, Oakley spoke only to confirm his name and address and enter the guilty pleas in court.
Mr Oakley resigned from the Conservative Party on 19 July following his arrest.Mr Oakley resigned from the Conservative Party on 19 July following his arrest.
Labour MP Claire Ward managed to hold Watford by a slim majority of 1,148 over the Liberal Democrats in the 2005 general election.Labour MP Claire Ward managed to hold Watford by a slim majority of 1,148 over the Liberal Democrats in the 2005 general election.
The constituency is one of the few areas in the UK where there is a three-way split in votes between the major parties, making it a target seat for both the Lib Dems and Conservatives.The constituency is one of the few areas in the UK where there is a three-way split in votes between the major parties, making it a target seat for both the Lib Dems and Conservatives.