Councillor charged with two counts of sexual assault

A RHONDDA Cynon Taf County Borough councillor has been charged with two counts of sexual assault against women.

Treherbert councillor Will Jones was charged by South Wales Police on Monday. Jones has since been suspended from the Plaid Cymru council group and the party until legal proceedings have concluded.

A police spokesman said: “South Wales Police can confirm that a 67-year-old man from Treherbert was charged on Monday, April 23, 2018, with two counts of sexual assault against women.” Jones was elected in 2017. A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “When she became aware of a serious complaint about personal conduct, Councillor Pauline Jarman took the decision to suspend a councillor from the Plaid Cymru Group on Rhondda Cynon Taf council. Upon becoming aware of the complaint, Plaid Cymru chairman Alun Ffred Jones took the decision to suspend the councillor from party membership. He will remain suspended from the party until legal proceedings have concluded.”

The RCT council website lists Jones as a member of the Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee and the Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee (Crime and Disorder).

According to his declaration of interests, dated May 2017, Jones listed GMB, teacher’s union NASUWT and Basketball Wales where councillors have to declare any groups they have membership of or hold a position of general control or management.

An RCT council spokeswoman said: “The council has been informed by South Wales Police of allegations and charges made against an elected member. No further action is required by the council at this stage.”

Jones was bailed to appear at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on May 25.