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Ex-Worcestershire council leader jailed for sex assaults | Ex-Worcestershire council leader jailed for sex assaults |
(40 minutes later) | |
The former leader of Worcestershire County Council has been sentenced to four years in prison for sex assaults. | The former leader of Worcestershire County Council has been sentenced to four years in prison for sex assaults. |
George Lord, 79, from Bromsgrove, was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court after previously admitting indecently assaulting a teenager in the 1970s. | George Lord, 79, from Bromsgrove, was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court after previously admitting indecently assaulting a teenager in the 1970s. |
He had also been convicted of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old in the council chamber while he was leader in 2010. | He had also been convicted of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old in the council chamber while he was leader in 2010. |
Lord resigned from the council in November 2010 after allegations about inappropriate behaviour towards staff. | Lord resigned from the council in November 2010 after allegations about inappropriate behaviour towards staff. |
West Mercia Police has said that at the time of the first case in the 1970s, Lord was a lay minister of a church and groomed a teenage girl for his own gratification. | West Mercia Police has said that at the time of the first case in the 1970s, Lord was a lay minister of a church and groomed a teenage girl for his own gratification. |
'Very traumatised' | 'Very traumatised' |
Police also said that in 2010, in his capacity as leader of the council, Lord took advantage of a young woman in a junior position. | Police also said that in 2010, in his capacity as leader of the council, Lord took advantage of a young woman in a junior position. |
A statement from the parents of one of the victims said: "My wife and I are satisfied with the sentence imposed and would like to thank the police for their outstanding work and compassion shown to our daughter. | A statement from the parents of one of the victims said: "My wife and I are satisfied with the sentence imposed and would like to thank the police for their outstanding work and compassion shown to our daughter. |
"But we are still unhappy that the council will not conduct an independent inquiry into the handing of our daughter's assault." | "But we are still unhappy that the council will not conduct an independent inquiry into the handing of our daughter's assault." |
A two-week internal inquiry is under way at the council into how it supported the woman after her father said she only received support from her family and work colleagues. | A two-week internal inquiry is under way at the council into how it supported the woman after her father said she only received support from her family and work colleagues. |
He has said the assault left his daughter "very traumatised" and the council leaned towards "calling her ordeal untrue" and encouraged her not to proceed with the allegation. | He has said the assault left his daughter "very traumatised" and the council leaned towards "calling her ordeal untrue" and encouraged her not to proceed with the allegation. |
'Whistle-blowing policy' | 'Whistle-blowing policy' |
The council disputed that claim and said the inquiry was being chaired by an independent official and was due to finish later this month. | |
The statement from her family said: "It is our understanding there had been a number of complaints regarding Mr Lord's conduct prior to our daughter's assault and we would like to know if her ordeal was preventable." | The statement from her family said: "It is our understanding there had been a number of complaints regarding Mr Lord's conduct prior to our daughter's assault and we would like to know if her ordeal was preventable." |
The council's chief executive Trish Haines said the sentencing of Lord "draws a line under a difficult matter". | The council's chief executive Trish Haines said the sentencing of Lord "draws a line under a difficult matter". |
She said: "Employee welfare is of utmost importance to us and we want staff to know we will always listen to any concerns they may have. | She said: "Employee welfare is of utmost importance to us and we want staff to know we will always listen to any concerns they may have. |
"We have a whistle-blowing policy which applies to everyone in the organisation, whatever their position." | "We have a whistle-blowing policy which applies to everyone in the organisation, whatever their position." |