Councillor fined for filming women (From Stroud News and Journal)

Councillor fined for filming women

A PROMINENT councillor who serves on Gloucestershire's police watchdog has been fined £500 by a London court after being caught filming attractive women without their knowledge.

Newcastle-born Bob Eccles, 60, has served the community as a local politician for over a decade.

But what was defended in court as a 'moment of madness' is likely to have put his political career in jeopardy.

Mr Eccles is the county council's cabinet member for the environment as well as being both a Stroud district and Cainscross councillor.

He is also a keen photographer and video-maker.

On Friday Bow Street Magistrates convicted Mr Eccles of disorderly conduct and fined him £500 after he admitted filming unsuspecting women's groins and legs in Trafalgar Square on September 9.

Mr Eccles had zoomed in on the women and filmed their lower halves. Police officers noticed his strange behaviour and observed him doing this on several occasions. The police considered his behaviour to be unacceptable and arrested him after viewing the film footage.

When questioned Mr Eccles admitted filming the women and in court pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

District judge Nicholas Evans accepted Mr Eccles genuine remorse over the incident and took into account his previous good character and work he had done for the community. As well as the fine, Mr Eccles was ordered to pay £55 costs and had his camcorder confiscated.

Mr Eccles is married with grown-up children.

A spokesman for the county council said that acting on medical advice Mr Eccles was not currently carrying out his council duties. "His cabinet responsibilities have been taken up by his colleagues.

"Following the outcome of Friday's court hearing the Labour party will discuss with Mr Eccles the most appropriate way forward."

Mr Eccles was suspended by the Labour party immediately the allegations came to light. Following the findings of the court case the regional Labour party will be reviewing the situation and the shamed councillor will remained suspended while this process takes place.

Mr Eccles remains a member of Gloucestershire Police Authority at this time. Members receive a basic annual allowance of £7,000 along with expenses and generous additional payments for attending meetings and tribunals on the authority's behalf.

For his county council duties Mr Eccles receives £24,540 a year.

The district council pays a basic allowance of £3,957 to its backbench councillors. Stroud District Council's constitution says members must not conduct themselves in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing their office or the authority into disrepute.

It makes no specific mention of criminal convictions.