An unsuccessful election candidate has been charged with carrying a metal blade in public and stalking.

Mark Alan Baxtrem, who stood as an independent candidate for the Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency in the elections earlier this month, is charged with possession of a blade in a public place. The alleged offence occurred on June 2 at the Sporting Lodge in Stainton, Middlesbrough.

He is also accused of stalking between April 6 and July 3 this year in Middlesbrough. The charge states he allegedly pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a woman by making “numerous unwanted communications and attendance at her address and place of work”.

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The 59-year-old, of Holyend Drive in Redcar, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on July 8 and pleaded not guilty to both charges. A bail application was then heard at the court on Monday, July 15.

Baxtrem was granted conditional bail and will appear again at the same court on Friday, August 23. As reported previusly, he was unsuccessful in the election, securing 383 votes, which saw sitting MP Andy McDonald re-elected for a fifth term.