ONE of the North-East's most senior legal officials has resigned after being accused of committing a roadside act of gross indecency.

Married father-of-two Kelvin Jones - who runs three magistrates courts in County Durham - was charged after being arrested with a 33-year-old man near a layby.

The alleged incident took place close to a lay-by on the A689 Rushyford to Sedgefield road on Friday evening.

Mr Jones, a former mayor of Newtown, in Powys, Wales, took up his post as the clerk to the justices of South Durham in 1997, taking charge of the magistrates courts in Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe.

Last night, Mr Jones, 44, said from his home in Clareville Road, Darlington: "I do not want to say anything. My wife and I have separated and I will be leaving the Darlington area shortly."

A police spokesman said: "A 44-year-old man from Darlington was arrested last Friday evening on suspicion of gross indecency with another man.

"He was interviewed at Newton Aycliffe police station and then charged with gross indecency. A second man, aged 33, from Spennymoor, was also charged."

It is understood the two men were arrested by officers on a routine traffic patrol on the A689 after allegedly being seen in a bush near a layby.

Justices Deputy Chief Executive for the Durham area, Royston Dent, said: "Mr Jones has resigned from his post with immediate effect."

To avoid having to appear before his former staff, Mr Jones - a trained solicitor - and the second man are expected to appear before magistrates in Northallerton shortly.