A COUNCILLOR charged with three sex offences was too ill to attend court yesterday, his solicitor said.
Harry Devine, 52, of Wooler Drive, Billingham, Teesside, failed to appear because of cardiac problems.
In his absence, magistrates decided to transfer the case to Durham Crown Court.
Mr Devine, who represents a Wingate ward on Easington District Council, is charged with one count of indecent assault on a girl under 14 and two of incitement to commit an act of gross indecency involving a girl under 16. He denies all the charges.
He had been due to appear at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on August 15 but, on the eve of his appearance, was taken into hospital with cardiac problems.
Continuing health problems prevented him attending two further scheduled appearances, and yesterday, his solicitor, Martin Scarborough, told magistrates that he understood that Mr Devine was still too ill to attend.
Magistrates ordered that Mr Devine must provide medical evidence for any future absences. He was granted conditional bail, which includes him living at the Billingham address and prohibits him from entering Wingate.
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