ONE of the region's highest-profile local politicians was in prison last night after being refused bail by magistrates in the city he once led.

Rod Hills, 55, appeared before magistrates in York on charges, including blackmail and soliciting women for prostitution.

After a hearing that lasted three-and-a-half hours, the 55-year-old university lecturer was remanded in custody by the bench.

He is due to appear before York Crown Court next Friday for a preliminary hearing on charges of blackmail and perverting the course of justice.

The other allegations he is facing - witness intimidation, wasting police time, soliciting and perverting the course of justice - were adjourned until September 19.

Councillor Hills, of Huntington Road, York, was charged and remanded in custody on Thursday night after answering police bail.

He appeared in court yesterday dressed in a white, open-necked pin-striped shirt and black jeans, and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

Fay Simpson, 31, of the same address, also appeared before the court, charged with obstructing police, perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation.

The mother-of-five was granted bail by the magistrates on condition that a place could be found in a bail hostel.

Claire Thomasson, prosecuting, told the court that the blackmail charge related to £4,650, which Coun Hills allegedly demanded from a woman referred to as Miss X, in York last year.

She said the allegation of wasting police time related to the reporting of a burglary at his home on February 20.

On the soliciting charge, Coun Hills was alleged to have approached two women in the city earlier this year.

He and Miss Simpson were also charged with intimidating a female witness at their home in March, and Coun Hills was charged with intimidating the same witness in June.

Both were charged with perverting the course of justice by allegedly attempting to persuade another woman to withdraw a statement to the police, on June 15.

Coun Hills was charged with dangerous driving relating to an incident in York on May 19.

Last month, Coun Hills vowed to fight to clear his name after he was arrested by detectives as part of an investigation.

He said at the time that he was the victim of "scurrilous" allegations, but said that his conscience was clear.

He was the leader of the council in York since the mid-1980s but stepped down from the role after he was arrested in May