A homosexual Labour councillor who confessed to child pornography offences is facing prison.

It emerged that Labour’s Richard Smith, who represented Nelson’s Clover Hill ward on Pendle Council, had been investigated over rape images of children

Smith, 32, of Waidshouse Road, appeared before Burnley magistrates and admitted to  making child rape photographs, on August 20 and July 24 last year..

Magistrates committed him on unconditional bail to appear for sentence at Burnley Crown Court on September 28.

A police spokesman said Smith was initially arrested on November 12 last year, on suspicion of downloading and viewing indecent images of little boys.

Smith, who also served as a Nelson town councillor and served on the borough’s licensing committee and scrutiny management team, was finally charged with the offences on July 27 and bailed to appear at court.

The councillor, who grew up in the Clover Hill area, also served for a period as Pendle Labour Party’s ‘Young Labour’ officer.

Smith, who has worked in the holiday cottages industry, won the seat for Labour from the Liberal Democrats in 2011, with more than 50 per cent of the vote.

In his 2010 election leaflet, he said: “I find working with younger people very rewarding and hope to help them develop various projects that will benefit both Clover Hill ward and Nelson.”

Under the sentencing powers of the crown court, the maximum prison sentence is 10 years, on conviction.

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