A Stourport Labour councillor and leader of Wyre Forest District Council has admitted making pornographic photographs of a child.

James Shaw, who served as leader of the council for eight years, pleaded guilty to the crime at Worcester Crown Court on September 11 this year.

Shaw, of Heightington Place in Stourport, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

The crime was committed in Stourport between January and July 2018 – during which time he was serving as Labour ward member for Areley Kings and Riverside on the district council.

Now aged 68, Shaw served the Stourport community since the 1980s, both as a representative for Stourport Town Council and a local school governor. He also worked for the education service at Worcestershire County Council.

He was the second longest serving Labour councillor for Wyre Forest District Council, having served on it for 32 years until his resignation in November last year, citing ill-health.

At the time of his resignation, Wyre Forest Council issued a statement thanking Shaw for his “long and dedicated service to the council” and wishing him well for the future. Wyre Forest Labour also thanked him for his “diligent service over the last 32 years”.

A spokesman for Wyre Forest Safer Neighbourhood Team said the investigation into Shaw was conducted by Kidderminster CID and concluded in September.

Both West Mercia Police and Wyre Forest Labour declined to comment.