A council leader accused of election fraud will not stand trial until next year.
Russell Bowden, Labour leader of Warrington Borough Council, pleaded not guilty to giving a false statement in nomination papers when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today.
The 52-year-old, who was first elected as a councillor in 2010 and became leader in 2018, is alleged to have given a false address to a returning officer on April 4, 2021 for use in the election.
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A trial, estimated to last five days, was fixed for January 9 next year.
Judge Brian Cummings QC told Bowden: "It may seem a long way off, it is indeed nearly a year off, but you may just find it comes around sooner than you think."
Bowden, represented by Tanveer Qureshi, was bailed until the trial.
Three members of the public were in the gallery of the court for the short hearing.
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